France Revives Social Media Ban for Under-15s After Constitutional Setback

France is making a renewed push to restrict social media access for children under 15, submitting a fresh proposal to the European Commission today. This comes just a month after the nation's top court, the Constitutional Council, struck down an earlier attempt, citing concerns over freedom of expression and privacy rights. President Emmanuel Macron has made protecting minors online a key priority, aiming to have a working ban in place before his term ends next year and advocating for similar rules across the European Union. The previous legislation, passed by parliament in July, aimed for a blanket ban on social media for under-15s but was deemed 'disproportionate' by the Constitutional Council in mid-August. Critics argued it infringed on fundamental freedoms and lacked clear legal safeguards for rights. The new, reworked proposal reportedly moves away from a broad ban on platforms, instead focusing on restricting specific 'Harmful Features' like automatic video playback and nighttime notifications, while also allowing exceptions for children aged 13-15 with 'Parental Consent'. This shift suggests the French government is trying to balance child protection with individual liberties and existing 'EU Laws' like the Digital Services Act. Now, the ball is in the European Commission court, which is reviewing the revised draft to ensure it aligns with EU-wide regulations. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to address a potential bloc-wide social media ban for children in a speech this week, indicating a broader European discussion on 'Online Harms' for young users. The outcome of France latest effort could significantly influence future digital safety policies across the continent, shaping how platforms manage 'Under-15s' access and 'Age Verification' moving forward.