France upholds assisted‑dying law, rejects ban on under‑15 social media use

France’s Constitutional Court has confirmed the constitutionality of President Emmanuel Macron’s assisted‑dying law, while rejecting a proposed ban on social‑media use for children under 15. In a ruling issued on Monday, the court upheld the law that permits terminally ill patients to request euthanasia, citing its alignment with the nation’s legal framework and the protection of individual autonomy. The decision follows a series of judicial reviews that have affirmed the law’s compliance with French and European human‑rights standards.

At the same time, the court struck down the government’s attempt to prohibit minors under 15 from accessing social‑media platforms. The judges found that the ban was “disproportionate” in its infringement on children’s freedoms and did not meet the necessary legal thresholds for restricting digital activity. The ruling signals a need for the government to revise the draft legislation to balance child protection with constitutional rights. Officials have indicated that a new bill will be drafted in the coming weeks, aiming to address the court’s concerns while still pursuing measures to safeguard young users.

The dual outcome highlights the Constitutional Court’s role as a check on executive policy, ensuring that reforms—whether expanding end‑of‑life options or regulating digital spaces—conform to France’s constitutional principles. The government’s next steps will determine how it navigates the legal and social implications of both the assisted‑dying law and the revised child‑online‑use policy.