French Constitutional Council Rejects Ban on Social Media…

French Constitutional Council Rejects Ban on Social Media for Children

14.08.2026 16:00 HotInfo

France's Constitutional Council on Friday, August 14, rejected a ban on social media access for children under 15 years old. The measure was pushed by President Emmanuel Macron, but constitutional judges called it unconstitutional and an infringement on freedom of speech. Le Figaro ↗

The decision concerns the first article of the draft law, which parliament approved on July 21. The Constitutional Council was asked to review it by a group of left-wing lawmakers, including socialists and representatives of the La France Insoumise movement. According to available information, it was a significant defeat for the executive, which presented the ban as part of a broader effort to restrict minors' access to social media.

Macron has previously pushed for stricter rules for digital platforms and wanted to build broader support for restrictions aimed at protecting children. However, the Constitutional Council ruled that the proposed provision exceeded constitutional limits, as it would restrict users' freedom of expression. Le Monde ↗

After the verdict, it remains unclear whether the government will prepare an amended version of the rules or choose a different approach to regulating social media for minors. The decision also strengthens the role of parliamentary opposition, which challenged the law before its implementation.