France blocks social media ban: Is Australia getting it wrong?

France blocks under-16 social media ban, raising concerns over freedom of speech and effective age verification methods

France’s top court has blocked a proposed social media ban for under-16s, arguing that the legislation raised concerns around freedom of speech and failed to provide clear enough evidence that children’s ages could be reliably verified.

The decision puts Australia’s own social media restrictions under renewed scrutiny, with concerns that children are still finding ways around the rules by creating new accounts or claiming to be older.

Dr Karen Sutherland says governments need to look beyond bans, with stronger education, parental supervision and safer ways for young people to connect both online and in person.

The French approach has been described as a “social media delay” rather than an outright ban, highlighting the wider challenge facing governments: how to protect children from online harms such as grooming while ensuring restrictions are practical, enforceable and effective.