The Constitutional Council – the top court in France – has struck down a law banning children under 15 from using social media, saying it infringes on fundamental freedoms.
It ruled that provisions in the legislation “disproportionately infringe freedom of expression and communication” and have not provided legal guarantees to ensure those rights.
Last month, France became the first country in the European Union to pass a blanket ban on the platforms amid rising worldwide concerns about the harmful effects of digital content on children.
Both chambers of the parliament had voted in favour of the measure, which also prohibited the use of mobile phones in secondary schools.
The legislation was one of the final major measures adopted under French President Emmanuel Macron’s presidency before he leaves office next year.
Mr Macron wanted the change to take effect next month, the start of the new school year, but the bill faced a review to determine whether it complied with the constitution.
Responding to the decision, the president said that he was determined to see the ban take effect by spring.
In a statement, he said that he had tasked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu “with working as quickly as possible on a legally robust proposal that takes into account the decision of the Constitutional Council as well as the European legal framework”.
“On this basis, it will be up to the President of the Republic, the Government, and Parliament to determine the means and mechanisms needed to protect our children from social media by the end of the current term of office,” Mr Macron said.
