Industry - Policy Change
Executive Summary
A federal appeals court ruled that Ohio can enforce a law requiring social media companies to obtain parental consent before allowing children under 16 to use their platforms, overturning a previous injunction. The court found the law does not violate free speech protections, despite challenges from tech industry group NetChoice, which argued it restricts children's access to protected content and threatens online privacy. The law requires age verification and applies to platforms like Instag...
What Happened
On June 18, 2026, the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Ohio can enforce its Social Media Parental Notification Act, which requires social media platforms to obtain parental consent before allowing users under 16 to create accounts. The 2-1 decision overturned a lower court injunction that had blocked the law since January 2024, finding it does not violate First Amendment free speech protections. The law requires age verification on platforms that can reasonably be expected to be accessed by children under 16, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
Who Is Affected
All Ohio residents under 16 who use or wish to use social media platforms covered by the law are affected, as they now require verified parental consent to access these services. Social media companies operating in Ohio, including Meta, TikTok, and Alphabet, must implement age verification systems and parental consent mechanisms for Ohio users. Parents and guardians of children under 16 in Ohio gain legal authority over their children's social media access.
Why It Matters
This ruling represents a significant precedent in allowing states to regulate how minors access social media, reflecting a growing global trend of government intervention in children's online activity. The decision empowers state-level regulation of major technology platforms despite industry arguments about privacy risks and constitutional concerns. It signals that courts may uphold parental consent requirements as a narrow, targeted approach to protecting children online, potentially encouraging similar legislation in other states.
What You Should Do
If you are a parent or guardian in Ohio with children under 16 using social media, prepare to provide consent and verify your identity through platforms' new systems as they implement compliance measures. Review your children's current social media accounts and decide which platforms you want them to continue using. If you are under 16 in Ohio, inform your parents that their consent will be required to maintain access to affected platforms and be prepared for potential account verification processes.
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