August 14, 2026 / 12:15 PM EDT
/ CBS/AFP
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France's top constitutional authority on Friday struck down a ban on social media access for children under 15, dealing a blow to the legislation championed by President Emmanuel Macron.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 of those under 15.In its ruling, the Constitutional Council also expressed concern about the potential impact on privacy of introducing an age-verification system for all users.The law, which was due to take effect on Sept. 1, would have barred younger users from social networks such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, among other restrictions.The French government had promoted the ban as a way to better protect young people from the harmful effects associated with social media platforms, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and online harassment.Macron had in July thanked members of Parliament for backing the legislation and pledged to enforce it by September.After the ruling, the Elysee Palace said Macron had tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with working on a new "legally robust draft" of the legislation.
