COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - A new law requiring parental consent for minors to access certain websites now faces a court challenge in Ohio.
NetChoice LLC, a leading internet trade association, was filed Jan. 5 against Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost over the state's attempt to limit minors' access to certain websites. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
The suit is centered around the Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act ("Act"), which requires websites to secure verifiable parental consent before allowing minors under 16 to create accounts or access services. NetChoice argues that this act is unconstitutional and infringes upon minors' First Amendment rights.
The complaint mentions that some of its members operate popular websites such as Dreamwidth, Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, Pinterest, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube - all regulated by the act. It argues that these platforms allow users to engage in a wealth of protected speech and should be free from governmental restraint.
NetChoice seeks a declaration that the Act is unconstitutional and an injunction preventing Yost from enforcing it. Many attorneys represent NetChoice, including Matthew Rice of Sperling & Slater.