French court approves assisted dying law but rejects social media ban for minors
France's Constitutional Council validated the government's landmark assisted dying law while striking down a proposed social media ban for children under 15.
France’s Constitutional Council has validated a landmark bill establishing a right to assisted dying, while striking down proposed restrictions on youth social media usage.
The constitutional judges confirmed the legality of the end-of-life framework, noting that the legislature holds discretion over major societal reforms. However, the court attached reservations to safeguard conscience protections for healthcare providers and private medical facilities, including Catholic institutions. The court also approved key elements of an emergency agricultural measure.
In contrast, the Council invalidated the core provision of a separate law that sought to prohibit social media access for children under 15. Ruling the broad ban disproportionate, the judges concluded that it improperly infringed upon constitutional freedoms, effectively dismantling a central legislative ambition of President Emmanuel Macron.
Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Politico Europe (Defense).
Sources
- Le Monde — Le Conseil constitutionnel valide la loi sur la fin de vie, les établissements catholiques obtiennent leur « clause de conscience »
- Politico Europe (Defense) — Le Conseil Constitutionnel censure la loi interdisant les réseaux sociaux aux mineurs
- La Tribune — Aide à mourir et loi d'urgence agricole : ce que le Conseil constitutionnel a validé
- Le Figaro — Le Conseil constitutionnel valide la loi sur l’aide à mourir et retoque l’interdiction des réseaux sociaux aux mineurs de moins de 15 ans
- Libération — Droit à l’aide à mourir : le Conseil constitutionnel valide l’intégralité de la loi avec trois réserves
Earlier coverage
- Oct 16, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council clears assisted dying law while blocking youth social media ban
- Oct 16, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCFrench court approves assisted dying law while blocking youth social media ban
- Oct 16, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCFrench constitutional court approves assisted dying while rejecting social media ban for minors
- Oct 16, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCFrench court validates assisted dying legislation while rejecting youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council approves assisted dying bill and blocks youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCFrance's Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law while blocking youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law and rejects youth social media ban
- Oct 15, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law while striking down social media ban for under-15s
- Oct 15, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves assisted dying law while striking down youth social media ban
- Oct 13, 2026, 12:30 PM UTCFrench Constitutional Council approves end-of-life bill while striking down youth social media ban