FRENCH COURT BLOCKS UNDER-15 SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

INDUSTRY DESK■ 1 MIN READ

FRI, AUG 14, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

France's top court has struck down the government's proposed ban on social media for children under 15. President Macron has ordered the government to redraft the legislation.

The court's decision blocks a measure that would have prevented minors under 15 from accessing major social media platforms. The original proposal aimed to address concerns over screen time, mental health, and online safety for young users. Macron announced the social media ban initiative in September, framing it as a child protection measure. The government must now develop alternative legislation that can withstand legal scrutiny. The court's rejection suggests constitutional or procedural issues with the original bill's framework. France joins other European nations debating how to regulate social media access for minors, though most have pursued less restrictive approaches focused on parental controls and platform accountability rather than outright bans. The new proposal timeline remains unclear as the government begins revising its approach to youth social media regulation.

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► Engadget

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FRENCH COURT BLOCKS UNDER-15 SOCIAL MEDIA BAN

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