The French government has submitted a revised proposal aimed at banning social media access for children under the age of 15, following the rejection of an earlier attempt by the country’s highest constitutional authority. President Emmanuel Macron announced the development, noting that the previous legislation was invalidated in mid-August by France’s Constitutional Council. The council ruled that parts of the initial bill imposed an undue restriction on freedom of expression.

In a message posted on the social media platform X, Macron explained that after extensive technical revisions, the updated draft has now been formally submitted to the European Commission. This step is crucial to ensure the proposed law aligns with European Union regulations, as member states must adhere to EU legal frameworks when enacting such measures.

Macron has prioritized the ban on social media use by children and teenagers, expressing his intention to have the legislation in place before the conclusion of his current term in office next year. He has also advocated for comparable rules to be adopted across the European Union. The push for continent-wide regulation of minors’ access to social media reflects concerns about the potential impacts of online platforms on young users’ mental health and development.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to address the subject during an upcoming speech in Brussels, further indicating that the debate over regulating children’s social media usage is gaining momentum at the EU level. While the specific details of the new French proposal have not been fully disclosed, the government aims to balance protective measures with respect for individual rights, as highlighted by the Constitutional Council’s earlier ruling.

The initiative has sparked discussion among policymakers, legal experts, and civil society groups regarding the appropriate limits of government intervention in digital spaces and the effectiveness of age-based restrictions in managing online risks for minors. As France moves forward with this revised approach, the broader European dialogue on social media regulation for children is likely to intensify.