France, Aug. 14 -- Parliament adopted the legislation on 21 July by 279 votes to 81 as part of an effort to protect the health and safety of children and teenagers from risks linked to social media use.

The restrictions would have applied to social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram. Under-15s would have been prevented from creating new accounts from September, while those with existing accounts would have seen them closed from 1 January 2027.

President Emmanuel Macron described the ban as a "major step forward" after parliament approved it in July, adding that France was "leading the way".

But lawmakers from the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party referred the legislation to France's highest constitutional authority last ...