New bill prepared in France regarding social media use for children under 15

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the new draft law regarding the social media use of children under 15, which was annulled by the Constitutional Council in August, is ready and has been notified to the European Commission.

New Bill Prepared

In a statement on the X platform, French President Macron stated that they are determined to protect children in online environments. A new draft has been prepared for the regulation, which was adopted by both chambers of the French Parliament but annulled by the Constitutional Council.

Macron noted that the instruction given to the government to prepare a new regulation compliant with European norms and legally robust was fulfilled thanks to extraordinary technical work.

Notified to the EU Commission

It was stated that the new draft law prepared by the government has been officially notified to the European Commission. Macron emphasized that this legal regulation aimed at protecting children should be adopted throughout Europe and that they are determined on this issue.

Constitutional Council's Grounds for Annulment

The previous regulation in France regarding the access of children under 15 to social media had been adopted by the lower and upper chambers of parliament. However, with its decision on August 14, the Constitutional Council annulled the regulation on the grounds that it constituted a disproportionate interference with the freedom of expression of young people. While acknowledging that protecting the interests of children is a constitutional necessity, the Council had ruled that the existing regulation was insufficient to identify the risks that the online environment would pose in terms of children's health and safety.