Federal Judge Blocks Ohio Law Restricting Minors' Social Media Access

A federal judge has permanently struck down Ohio's law requiring parental consent for minors under 16 to use social media, ruling it violated the First Amendment rights of both minors and content platforms. The law, which was challenged by NetChoice and had been temporarily blocked, was found to be overly broad and an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. Meanwhile, the state is considering new legislation that would shift age verification and parental consent requirements from social media platforms to app stores. In contrast, Mississippi's social media age-verification law saw an appeals court vacate an injunction against it, determining that lower courts needed a more thorough factual analysis before granting preliminary relief. These legal battles highlight ongoing national debates about the balance between protecting children online and safeguarding constitutional rights.