PARIS, August 14. /TASS/. The ban on the use of social networks by children under the age of 15, supposed to come into force in September after the adoption of the law by parliament, was declared unconstitutional, the Constitutional Council ruled.
In justifying its decision in 23 paragraphs, the Council explains that the ban violates children's right to freedom of expression and communication. The Council agreed that the ban may be constitutional when it comes to protecting the interests of the child and preventing violations of public order. However, in its current form, it covers absolutely all online resources, with the exception of online encyclopedias and educational platforms that allow information exchange without taking into account the specifics of resources, without a risk assessment for minors, and without allowing parents or guardians to allow children to use these resources with their own responsibility.
The Constitutional Council also said that the ban implies that even adults must confirm their age. "Without defining the conditions and limits within which such confirmation should be provided, the legislator did not provide for legal guarantees capable of ensuring compliance with the requirements of the constitution. It follows from all of the above that without the need to consider the remaining complaints, article 1 of the submitted law contradicts the constitution," the decision reads.
