Judge strikes down Ohio law limiting kids' use of social media as unconstitutional
Source: ABC News/AP
April 17, 2025, 11:10 AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A federal judge permanently struck down an Ohio law on Thursday that would have required children and teens under 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps. U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley’s decision came in a lawsuit filed by NetChoice, a trade group representing TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other major tech companies.
The organization's complaint argued that the law unconstitutionally impedes free speech and is overly broad and vague. The state contends the law is needed to protect children from the harms of social media. Marbley said that the state's effort, while laudable, went too far.
“This court finds, however, that the Act as drafted fails to pass constitutional muster and is constitutionally infirm,” he wrote, adding that even the government's "most noble entreaties to protect its citizenry" must abide by the U.S. Constitution. Bethany McCorkle, a spokesperson for Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, said, "We’re reviewing the decision and will determine the next steps.”
The law was originally set to take effect Jan. 15, 2024, but Marbley placed an immediate hold on enforcing it that he later extended. It is similar to ones enacted in other states, including California, Arkansas and Utah, where NetChoice lawsuits have also succeeded in blocking such laws, either permanently or temporarily.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-strikes-ohio-law-limiting-kids-social-media-120909417
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