Frances top court rules ban on under-15s social media access is unconstitutional.

France's top court has dealt a significant blow to plans to restrict young people's access to social media.

Key Development

The Constitutional Council, France's highest authority on constitutional matters, has ruled that the proposed ban infringes upon minors' freedom of expression and communication.

This decision comes after lawmakers in July backed a bill aimed at limiting under-15s' access to social media platforms, citing concerns over its impact on children's mental health.

However, President Emmanuel Macron had pledged to introduce the ban in stages from September, sparking widespread criticism from opponents who argued that it was an overreach of government authority and would have significant implications for young people's online lives.

The Constitutional Council's ruling overrides the ban, which would have required proof of age to access online services and imposed strict verification measures on new accounts.

Responding to the news, Macron has asked Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to prepare a new draft that takes into account the council's concerns and recommendations.

Australia was the first country to introduce a similar ban for under-16s last December, although its effectiveness in curbing young people's social media use remains uncertain.

As the debate over social media regulation continues to rage across Europe, this ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting minors' online rights and ensuring that any restrictions on their access to social media are proportionate and necessary.