PARIS: France’s top constitutional authority approved legislation on Friday on the right to assisted dying, but struck down a ban on social media access for children under 15 in a blow to one of President Emmanuel Macron’s cherished reforms.

The president’s office hailed the Constitutional Council’s decision on the assisted dying law, seen as one of the major social reforms of his second term.

The ruling “completes an exemplary democratic debate”, the Elysee Palace said, adding that the legislation “provides an essential safeguard for our fellow citizens”.

At the same time, his office said the president had no plans to give up on his push to bar children from apps such as TikTok and the government would work on a new draft law.

Constitutional Council upholds right to assisted dying

The constitutional authority, while striking down the ban on social media access for children under 15, observed that Article 1 of the legislation “constitutes an infringement that is neither appropriate, necessary, nor proportionate” to the freedom of expression and communication of those under 15.

In its ruling, the Constitutional Council also expressed concern about the potential impact on privacy of introducing an age-verification system for all users.

The law, which was due to take effect on Sept 1, would have barred younger users from social networks such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram, among other restrictions.

The French government had promoted the ban as a way to better protect young people from the harmful effects associated with social media platforms, including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and online harassment.

Macron had thanked members of parliament last month for backing the legislation and pledged to enforce it next month.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026