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Politics / Legislation

France faces constitutional challenge to under-15 social media ban

France's Parliament passed a social media ban for under-15s and phone restrictions in schools, but opposition parties challenged the law in the Constitutional Council. The government defends the measures as child protection, though implementation concerns persist.

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The essentials

France's under-15 social media ban faces constitutional challenge despite government support.

France's Parliament has enacted legislation banning social media for children under 15, with mobile phones restricted in high schools starting fall 2026. The law requires platforms to implement age verification systems to enforce the restrictions.

Opposition parties have challenged the ban in France's Constitutional Council, raising legal concerns about the legislation's scope and implementation. Meanwhile, the French government has defended the measures as a major advancement for child protection, with the Education Minister emphasizing both the social media ban and phone restrictions as necessary safeguards.

Concerns have been raised about rapid implementation timelines, as the government pushes for enforcement during the upcoming school year. The constitutional challenge creates uncertainty around whether the ban will proceed as planned, even as political support from the government remains firm.

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Political Implementation

Government pushes rapid enforcement amid constitutional scrutiny

The French government has positioned the ban as a major policy achievement and defended both social media and phone restrictions through its Education Minister. Political backing remains strong despite opposition challenges to the Constitutional Council. Implementation targets the September school year, reflecting government commitment to swift enforcement even as legal questions about the ban's constitutionality remain unresolved.

Legal Concerns

Constitutional Council examines rapid legislation amid implementation questions

Opposition parties have formally challenged the ban in France's Constitutional Council, raising legal concerns about the legislation. Questions about constitutionality persist alongside practical concerns about rapid implementation timelines. The council's review creates legal uncertainty around the measures' viability, even as government officials defend their necessity.