The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has backed an Ohio law requiring minors to obtain parental permission before using social media, dismissing First Amendment concerns as a "marginal burden." The ruling, issued Monday, allows the state to mandate age verification for all users, a provision critics argue will chill speech.
The decision gives momentum to a broader federal push. The House Energy and Commerce Committee announced a bipartisan deal Monday on a legislative package targeting online harms, including pornography age verification and social media protections for minors. The breakthrough follows months of negotiations on a measure with strong cross-party support.
Republican and Democratic members on the committee jointly backed the federal package, signaling rare unity on tech regulation. The Ohio law drew support from conservative parental rights groups but has been opposed by free-speech advocates across the political spectrum who warn of government overreach.
Public opinion remains divided. While parental surveys show broad support for age verification mandates, digital rights groups including the Electronic Frontier Foundation have warned such laws could create a de facto national ID system. The Ohio case is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court, setting up a potential landmark ruling on minors' online speech.
Legal analysts note that the 6th Circuit's characterization of the burden as "marginal" could influence how other courts weigh similar state laws. The House package, if passed, would establish uniform federal standards, potentially preempting a patchwork of state regulations.