U.S. Courts Block State Social Media Bans for Kids in Nearly All Cases
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 22
U.S. Courts Block State Social Media Bans for Kids in Nearly All Cases
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 22
Summary
Nearly all state laws barring minors from social media have been blocked by U.S. courts, though Florida and Ohio measures were temporarily restored while litigation continues.
First Amendment concerns are driving the rulings because the laws regulate broad, general-purpose platforms rather than obscene content, forcing courts to weigh minors' speech rights, adults' access and publishers' interests.
Judges have also questioned whether states can show a strong enough government interest, with legal scholars saying evidence for a defined, medically grounded "social media addiction" remains unsettled.
More than 40 countries have moved toward youth social media restrictions, but the U.S. may struggle to follow that trend because its free-speech protections are stronger and blanket bans appear overly broad.
With state social media bans failing, are 'addictive design' lawsuits now the main path for holding tech accountable for youth mental health?
As regulators re-examine broadcast rules, how will the definition of a 'news program' adapt to today’s opinion-driven media landscape?
How will the Google and A24 partnership redefine creative filmmaking without replacing the human artists at the core of the industry?
Regulating Teens Online: The Shifting Legal Landscape of U.S. Social Media Age Restrictions and Parental Consent Laws
Overview
The report highlights the evolving legal landscape of youth social media regulation, focusing on Ohio’s Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act. Enacted in July 2023, this law requires individuals under 16 to get parental consent before creating social media accounts, aiming to protect minors from online harms. After NetChoice sued to block the law and a lower court issued an injunction, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals revived the act, ruling that the parental consent requirement does not violate minors’ First Amendment rights. This decision marks a significant shift and may influence similar laws in other states.