French teen social media ban struck down by top constitutional authority
Summary
France’s top constitutional court rejected a law that would have banned children under 15 from using social media. The court said the law violated young people’s freedom of expression and raised privacy concerns about age verification systems.Key Facts
- The law would have stopped children under 15 from using platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
- The law aimed to protect children from issues like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and online bullying.
- France’s Constitutional Council said the law was not suitable or necessary for protecting freedom of expression.
- The court also worried about privacy risks from requiring all users to prove their age.
- The law was set to start on September 1 but was blocked by this ruling.
- President Emmanuel Macron asked the Prime Minister to create a new law that follows the court’s guidance and European rules.
- Macron wants to keep working on protecting children online before his presidency ends next year.
- The court did not decide on banning mobile phones in high schools, which is a separate rule also starting September 1.
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