France's top court has struck down a ban on social media for under-15s, saying it infringed upon freedom of expression. The Constitutional Council made this ruling on Friday, effectively killing the law that would have restricted young people's access to social media.
France's Constitutional Council Strikes Down Social Media Ban
The legislation was backed by French lawmakers in July, making it the first European country to block young people from social media platforms after concerns over the harmful effects on children's mental health. The law was set to be implemented in stages, starting with a ban on new accounts for under-15s in September and a requirement to verify age on all existing accounts by January 2027.
However, the Constitutional Council found that Article 1 of the legislation "constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate" to the freedom of expression and communication for under-15s. The ruling also raised concerns over the law's requirement to provide proof of age to access online services, saying it failed to establish "the legal safeguards necessary".
Macron's Response to the Ruling
In response to the news, French President Emmanuel Macron immediately asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a new draft that would take into account all the council's points. Macron's office said after the ruling that the French government would work "as quickly as possible" to propose a new draft and that the president was determined to see the reform implemented by early 2027.
Age Verification and Privacy Concerns
Opponents of the law had repeatedly questioned its viability and raised concerns over privacy, the efficacy of age-verification tools, and the risks of young people bypassing them. The Constitutional Council's ruling has brought attention to these issues, and it remains to be seen how the French government will address them in a revised law.
Global Context
Legislation restricting young people's access to social media has been ramping up around Europe in the past few months. In May, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a "social media delay" for children in the EU, saying new legislation could be put forward in months. Australia was the first country to introduce a social media ban for those under-16 last December, although it is widely acknowledged that many in the country continue to use the platforms.
Next Steps
The French government will now work on a revised law that takes into account the Constitutional Council's concerns. It remains to be seen how the new legislation will address the issues raised by the council and what impact it will have on young people's access to social media. One thing is certain: the debate over social media and children's mental health is far from over.
Source: Joy Online
