NetChoice Sues Georgia Over Social Media Law

NetChoice, representing major tech firms including Meta, Google, and TikTok, has filed a federal lawsuit against Georgia's 'Protecting Georgia’s Children on Social Media Act of 2024,' which requires parental consent for children under 16 to create social media accounts and restricts targeted advertising to minors. The law mandates age verification by platforms, imposes fines for noncompliance, and is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025. NetChoice contends the law violates First Amendment free speech and Fourteenth Amendment due process rights, arguing it forces users to surrender private information and undermines parental authority. Supporters, including Georgia officials, say the measures are needed to address cyberbullying and protect youth mental health. Similar laws have been blocked or overturned in other states. NetChoice is not challenging the law’s separate age-verification requirements for online pornography sites.