France’s push to ban social media access for minors under 15 has suffered a major legal setback after the Constitutional Council struck down the legislation, ruling that it infringed disproportionately on freedom of expression. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron has directed Sébastien Lecornu to draft a revised, legally robust framework by the spring of 2027.
The blocked legislation, which had been slated to take effect on September 1, aimed to restrict platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and X for younger teenagers, alongside certain features on video services, messaging apps, and online gaming environments. Left-wing lawmakers from the Socialist Party and La France insoumise challenged the statute before the constitutional body, arguing that the blanket restriction failed to meet legal standards of necessity and proportionality.
While the constitutional judges acknowledged the legitimate state interest in safeguarding minors online, they determined that the enforcement mechanisms and exceptions outlined in the original bill were insufficiently tailored. Following the ruling, the Élysée Palace issued a statement confirming the administration’s intent to press forward with the initiative while factoring in both constitutional constraints and European legal frameworks.
Constitutional Objections and Political Fallout
The constitutional review concluded that the statutory restrictions placed an excessive burden on the expressive rights of children and adolescents. Critics of the original text, including Socialist lawmaker Arthur Delaporte—who previously chaired a parliamentary inquiry into the psychological impacts of TikTok on minors—welcomed the ruling on social media platforms, stating that the high court validated their arguments against a blunt regulatory approach.
Despite the setback, administration officials emphasized that the underlying mission to protect children from addictive online mechanisms remains unchanged. Sarah El Haïry, the High Commissioner for Childhood, stated publicly that the government would not abandon the objective and would renew discussions with the European Commission to develop a compliant enforcement model.
Next Steps for the Legislative Framework
Under the directive issued by the presidency, Sébastien Lecornu must construct a revised legislative text designed to withstand future judicial scrutiny. The administration has set a target to bring the reform to completion by the spring of 2027, navigating both domestic constitutional thresholds and broader European Union regulations on digital services.
Government agencies and legal teams are expected to coordinate further announcements regarding the timeline of the revised draft as legislative consultations resume.
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