COLUMBUS, Ohio – A law in Ohio mandating that social media companies obtain parental consent for children under 16 has been temporarily halted as a judge granted a restraining order on Tuesday.
Scheduled to take effect on Monday, the Social Media Parental Notification Act faced an obstacle when a judge intervened to block its implementation. The legislation not only requires social media platforms to seek parental consent for users under 16 but also necessitates these companies to furnish parents with their privacy guidelines. This disclosure aims to inform parents about the censorship or moderation of content on their child’s profile.
The legal setback comes after the tech industry group, NetChoice, filed a lawsuit in Ohio’s Southern District Court last week. NetChoice argues that the law infringes on minors’ First Amendment rights and raises concerns about its vagueness, asserting that companies may struggle to determine if the law applies to them.
In their lawsuit, NetChoice contends that parents already have sufficient tools to safeguard their teen users online, challenging the necessity of the Social Media Parental Notification Act.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a supporter of the law, expressed disappointment in the injunction, emphasizing the importance of empowering parents to play a role in their children’s digital lives. Lt. Governor Jon Husted criticized big-tech companies involved in the lawsuit, accusing them of being disingenuous participants in the legislative process and showing a lack of interest in protecting children.
Both parties are set to appear in court on February 7 for a preliminary injunction hearing as the legal proceedings continue. The outcome will determine the fate of this contentious legislation, designed to introduce safeguards for children in the realm of social media.