World

French top court blocks social media ban for under-15s

By AAP Newswire

Aug 15, 2026

Person holds a phone in Paris — A French court says a social media ban does not establish the safeguards to "ensure ⁠compliance". -EPA

France's top court has blocked a bill banning social media access for ‌under-15s, saying it infringes upon freedom of expression.

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The move is a setback for ‌President Emmanuel Macron, who asked his government on Friday to rewrite the legislation.

"By prohibiting minors under the age of fifteen from accessing certain online services, the law inherently requires every person, even an ‌adult, to ‌prove ⁠their age before accessing them," the Constitutional Council said in its decision.

"However, by failing to specify the conditions and limits under which such proof must be provided, the legislature has not established the legal safeguards necessary to ensure ⁠compliance with these requirements," it ‌added.

French MPs had approved a ban on social media access for children under ‌age 15, becoming the first in Europe to follow Australia, whose ban barred access to platforms including Facebook, TikTok and YouTube for under-16s in December.

Macron has ordered Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to re-work the draft legislation to ‌take the Constitutional Council's concerns into account, the Elysee said in a statement.

The government said Macron was determined the reform take effect before the northern hemisphere spring 2027, when France holds a presidential election.

Macron cannot run for a third term.