French Constitutional Court blocks social media ban for under-15s

France's Constitutional Court has halted a new law that would have prohibited individuals under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms. The court declared on Friday that the regulation infringes upon the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

The legislation, scheduled to take effect on September 1, aimed to restrict minors' access to certain online services by requiring users to identify themselves. However, the court found that the legislator had not sufficiently specified the conditions and limitations for this age verification process, thereby failing to provide the necessary legal safeguards.

This decision comes as discussions about social media's impact on young people continue globally, with other countries also considering similar restrictions. The French court's ruling emphasizes the delicate balance between protecting minors and upholding freedom of speech.