The ban on social media for minors under 15, strongly supported by French President Emmanuel Macron, has failed to pass the Constitutional Council's scrutiny. The "Wise Men" have rejected the measure contained in the law designed to protect minors from the influence and addiction associated with social media.
The decision comes after, at the end of July, a group of Socialist MPs and members of La France Insoumise submitted Article 1 of the bill, specifically the one banning access to platforms for those under 15, to the Constitutional Council for examination.
According to the judges, the provision represents "a disproportionate violation of the freedom of expression" of minors and "improperly, unnecessary and disproportionately violates" their freedom of expression and communication.
The Constitutional Council, however, recognizes "the constitutional requirement to protect the best interests of the child." What is less convincing, however, is the breadth of the ban, which, according to the "Wise Men," would ultimately apply to online communication services "whose risks to the health and safety of minors have not been established."
This rejection comes amid ongoing discussions in France on the most effective ways to protect children and adolescents from the risks associated with social media use. The government's stance must now address the limitations imposed by the constitutional protection of minors' freedom of expression and communication.
(Unioneonline)
