France's Constitutional Council Upholds Euthanasia Law, Strikes Down Social Media Ban for Under-15s

France's Constitutional Council, the country's highest constitutional authority, issued two significant rulings on August 1. One upheld the law legalizing euthanasia in specific cases, while the other struck down a bill banning social media for children under 15. Both decisions pertain to policies strongly advocated by President Emmanuel Macron.

With the ruling upholding the euthanasia law, France joins European countries that have legalized this form of assisted dying, including Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg.

Elisabeth Borne, former Prime Minister and current lawmaker, welcomed the decision. In a post on X, she wrote: “This decision marks the culmination of a long democratic and parliamentary effort, carried out with listening, respect, and seriousness. I welcome the final confirmation of a text that guarantees everyone the freedom to choose, within a strict and protective framework.”

The Constitutional Council upheld the entire law but clarified three provisions, including a conscience clause allowing pharmacists to refuse to assist patients ending their lives. Private treatment facilities may also decline to participate in the process if it conflicts with their mission, and other facilities may serve local needs. For protected patients, the opinion of the person responsible for their welfare must be considered.

The law stipulates that French citizens and legal residents can request medical assistance in dying under stringent conditions. Patients must have an “incurable, life-threatening illness in an advanced or terminal stage,” and the illness must cause “constant, unbearable, or untreatable physical or psychological suffering.” Patients must also give free and informed consent. The National Assembly passed the bill last month with a majority of 50 votes, 291 in favor and 241 against.

Meanwhile, in its ruling on social media, the Constitutional Council struck down the law banning children under 15 from using social media, citing a violation of freedom of expression.

The court argued: “Prohibiting minors under 15 from accessing certain online services requires everyone, including adults, to verify their age before access. However, because specific conditions and limits for this verification were not established, the legislature did not put in place the necessary legal safeguards. The law also failed to protect users' privacy.”

The social media ban bill for under-15s was one of President Macron's flagship policies and was passed by parliament last month. The law required all French citizens to verify their age before accessing social media sites, with plans to take effect in January 2027. Macron had hoped to pass the law before next year's presidential election.

Following the ruling, President Macron asked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to draft a new version of the law that is “legally sound.”

Earlier, Amnesty International had reacted to the French parliament's decision on the social media ban for teenagers, urging lawmakers to focus on forcing companies to redesign apps, including addictive features.

The organization's Secretary General, Agnes Callamard, said: “There is no doubt that regulating platforms to protect children is an imperative of our time. We acknowledge that governments are seriously considering the harms of social media. However, instead of imposing a blanket ban, efforts should focus on forcing platforms to abandon profit motives that disregard human rights.” She emphasized: “Building safe platforms requires a strong response. To ensure social media is a space where children can access community, connection, and knowledge in a healthy and safe manner, governments should focus on banning harmful features, including engagement-based algorithms that Amnesty International research shows can lead children into spirals of depression and self-harm content.”