France Submits Reworked Proposal To Ban Social Media For Under-15s

The French government has submitted a reworked legislative proposal aimed at banning social media access for children under the age of 15, following the rejection of its earlier draft by the nation's top constitutional body. President Emmanuel Macron announced the renewed effort on Monday, noting that executive officials completed extensive technical revisions to align the text with domestic legal requirements.

The renewed push follows a mid-August ruling by France's Constitutional Council, which struck down the previous iteration of the bill. The judicial authority concluded that portions of the initial legislation constituted an unnecessary infringement on the freedom of expression of minor users, prompting the administration to overhaul the framework.

To ensure regulatory compliance across the broader economic bloc, the French administration officially notified the European Commission of the newly drafted text. President Macron outlined the development in a public statement posted on X, emphasizing that the submission follows rigorous technical work designed to harmonize the national measure with existing European Union law.

Legal experts and policymakers view the European notification as a critical procedural milestone. By clearing the draft through Brussels channels, Paris seeks to preempt further legal challenges that could invalidate the restrictions once enacted, ensuring that child protection measures do not breach EU single-market and digital service regulations.

President Macron has established the minor social media ban as a central domestic priority, stating an intention to see enforceable restrictions implemented before his presidential term concludes in 2027. The French leader has simultaneously urged neighboring European governments to adopt parallel legislative frameworks within their respective jurisdictions.

The French initiative aligns with a broader regional momentum gathering across multiple European capitals. Growing public health warnings regarding the psychological and developmental impacts of digital platforms on adolescents have driven increased regulatory scrutiny internationally.

As Paris advances its national legislation, European Union leadership is moving to address the issue at the continental level. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to deliver a policy address in Brussels later this week specifically addressing a potential bloc-wide social media restriction for children.

The convergence of national legislative efforts in France and upcoming EU-level policy discussions highlights an accelerating regulatory shift. While governments weigh the balance between minor protection and digital rights, implementation timelines remain dependent on upcoming evaluations from Brussels and subsequent legislative debates.