French Constitutional Council blocks social media ban for minors

On August 14, 2026, the French Constitutional Council invalidated a provision of a new law aimed at prohibiting access to social media for children under 15. The Council ruled that Article 1 of the legislation constituted a disproportionate violation of the freedom of expression and communication. This specific measure was part of a broader government initiative intended to protect minors from digital risks, which had been approved by the French Parliament earlier in August.

While the Council blocked the social media ban, it did not issue a ruling on other provisions of the same law, such as the prohibition of mobile phones in high schools starting September 1. Following the decision, the Elysée Palace announced that President Emmanuel Macron has instructed Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to redraft the legislation. The government intends to incorporate the Council’s concerns while remaining aligned with the European legal framework.

President Macron remains determined to push the reform forward by the spring of 2027, ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. The administration is working under an accelerated timeline to ensure the legislative goal is achieved before the end of the current presidential term.