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France's social media ban for children under 15 struck down by top constitutional authority
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- France's Constitutional Council struck down a law banning social media access for children under 15, citing infringement on freedom of expression and concerns over privacy related to age-verification systems.
- The legislation, promoted by President Emmanuel Macron to protect youth from social media harms like anxiety and harassment, was set to take effect on September 1 but will now require revision.
- Macron has tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu with drafting a new, legally sound version of the law that aligns with the Council's ruling and European regulations, reaffirming his commitment to online child safety.
- The ruling did not affect a separate ban on mobile phone use in high schools, which remains scheduled to start in September, continuing existing restrictions in elementary and middle schools.
- Macron's former prime minister, Gabriel Attal, expressed disappointment but pledged to keep fighting against the negative impacts of social media on children.
