France's Constitutional Council censures ban on social media for under-15s

France's Constitutional Council has censured a key article of a proposed law aimed at protecting minors from social media risks, specifically striking down a ban on social media access for those under 15. This decision has been described as a "cold shower" for the government, which had prioritized the measure.

President Emmanuel Macron has directed Minister of the Interior Sébastien Lecornu to swiftly work on a legally robust redraft of the measure. The goal is to ensure the ban can be validated within the remaining months of the current presidential term, while also considering European Union regulations. The initial proposal was part of a broader law designed to shield young people from the dangers of social media platforms.

Beyond the social media ban for under-15s, the proposed legislation also included an extension of the mobile phone ban to high schools, slated to take effect from the start of the 2026 school year. Previously, mobile phones were only prohibited in middle schools. The future of this high school mobile phone ban now hangs in the balance following the Constitutional Council's ruling on the social media component.