The council issued a detailed ruling explaining its decision to invalidate the measure approved by parliament. The council holds that the contested provisions, on the one hand, disproportionately infringe upon the freedom of expression and communication and, on the other, fail to provide the legal safeguards necessary to ensure the right to respect for private life, the Constitutional Council said in its ruling.

The judges identified specific procedural flaws in how the law would have been implemented. The Constitutional Council found that the law failed to specify the conditions and limits under which proof of age must be provided. Additionally, the body stated that prohibiting minors from accessing online services inherently requires every person, including adults, to prove their age.

The legislation had outlined strict requirements for technology companies prior to its rejection. Tech platforms would have been required to use age-verification tools approved by France’s privacy regulator. Under the proposed rules, these companies would have been required to close existing accounts within four months.

President Emmanuel Macron tasked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu with reworking the legislation. Macron stated he is determined to see the reform implemented by spring 2027.

Australia barred under-16s from leading social media platforms in December last year. Lawmakers in Australia are considering stricter penalties after data showed mixed success.

Indonesia and Malaysia have introduced restrictions for under-16s on certain platforms. The UK is preparing to block leading apps for under-16s next year. Spain, Greece, and Denmark are planning to impose minimum age limits for social media.

The EU plans to seek stronger protections for children from harmful social media features. It is clear we need age-appropriate restrictions to platforms, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said.

Why It Matters

The ruling shows the legal challenges governments face when balancing child safety with constitutional rights. The Constitutional Council struck down the law because it did not provide adequate safeguards for private life while restricting expression. This decision forces French lawmakers to redesign the verification mechanisms to meet constitutional standards.

The outcome influences ongoing policy debates in other high-income economies. Australia has already implemented a ban for under-16s. As countries like the UK and several EU members prepare their own restrictions, the French court's emphasis on privacy safeguards may shape how those laws are drafted and defended.

Timeline

Australia barred under-16s from leading social media platforms in December last year. The law approved by parliament in July would have barred under-15s from opening social media accounts from the beginning of September. Earlier coverage on 2026-08-14 reported: France: Top court blocks social media ban for children.

What's New

Earlier coverage on 2026-08-14 reported: France: Top court blocks social media ban for children. Australia's ban barred access to platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube for under-16s in December last year. PureSource News previously reported: French Lawmakers Negotiate Compromise on Social Media Ban for Children.

The Constitutional Council stated that prohibiting minors from accessing online services inherently requires every person, including adults, to prove their age. Macron stated he is determined to see the reform implemented by spring 2027. Lawmakers in Australia are considering stricter penalties after data showed mixed success. Spain, Greece, and Denmark are planning to impose minimum age limits for social media.