France's top court blocks ban on social media for under-15s

France's highest court has blocked a law intended to ban social media access for children under 15, deeming the provisions unconstitutional. The French Constitutional Council's decision on August 14th has significant implications, potentially hindering similar legislative efforts across Europe aimed at protecting minors online.

The ruling suggests that a simple political will to restrict children's access to social media may not be sufficient. The council found that the specific measures proposed in the law conflicted with constitutional principles. This legal challenge highlights the complex balance between safeguarding children and upholding individual freedoms, even for minors.

According to Povilas Plikūnas, a lawyer at the firm Sorainen, this French decision could serve as a crucial reference point for other European states contemplating similar age-based restrictions on social media use. The ruling underscores the legal hurdles and constitutional considerations that governments must navigate when attempting to regulate online platforms for young users.

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this decision can become an important reference point for other European states considering similar restrictions