CLEVELAND, Ohio – The implementation of a new law, slated to take effect on Monday, has been temporarily halted due to a lawsuit filed by major tech companies. The legislation, known as the Social Media Parental Notifications Act, was designed to establish parental guidelines for social media apps when minors sign up.
Ohio’s Lieutenant Governor, Jon Husted, explained the intent behind the law, stating, “Simply, what we’re trying to do is say this: If you have a child who is under the age of 16, the social media companies can’t go around the parent to the child. We now know that it’s {social media} causing harm, mental health problems, eating disorders, suicide.”
The Act would have necessitated parental consent for users under the age of 16 when registering for social media and gaming applications, along with the imposition of privacy guidelines.
Husted clarified that the law is not an infringement on free speech or a ban on specific apps. Instead, it is seen as a measure for parents to have control over the content that appears on their children’s social media feeds.
The legislation faced legal opposition after its passage, with Netchoice, an organization representing several tech companies, including Meta and TikTok, filing a lawsuit against the state of Ohio.
A court hearing to determine the future of the law is scheduled for February 7, marking a crucial moment in deciding the fate of the Social Media Parental Notifications Act.