A federal judge on Monday approved a new law that would require social media companies such as Metaplatform’s Instagram and ByteDance’s TikTok to obtain parental consent before allowing children under 16 to use their platforms. Enforcement was blocked in Ohio.
Chief Judge Algernon Mabry of the District of Columbia agreed NetChoice, a technology industry trade group, argued that the law violates minors’ First Amendment rights to free speech.
This comes as Congress and state legislatures seek ways to address growing concerns about the dangers social media poses to children’s mental health. The latest court ruling blocking this is shown.
Ohio’s Republican Attorney General Dave Yost says the social media parental notification law passed by the state Legislature in July is an effective measure aimed at protecting minors from mental health damage and sex offenders. He claimed that it was a reasonable measure.
But Marbury told NetChoice, whose members include TikTok, Elon Musk’s I agree that this is not something that was done.”
“Prohibiting minors under the age of 16 from accessing all content on websites covered by the Act without the affirmative consent of a parent would reduce the harm social media can cause to children. “It is a breathtakingly blunt means of mitigation,” he wrote.
Monday’s ruling comes after a judge last month issued an order temporarily blocking it from taking effect as scheduled on January 15, putting the Ohio law on hold indefinitely while litigation continues. Ta.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) called the ruling disappointing. He cited “overwhelming evidence that social media has a negative impact on the mental health of minors, including an increase in depression and suicidal behavior.”
“Congress must act to protect our nation’s children because federal courts have interpreted the Constitution to prevent the state of Ohio from protecting Ohio’s children,” he said in a statement. Stated.
Last year, NetChoice won a court ruling blocking a similar social media parental consent law in Arkansas and the Children’s Digital Privacy Act in California.
This challenges restrictions also in place in Utah.
