Ohio Blocked From Implementing Law Restricting Children’s Use of Social Media

A law preventing children under 16 from using social media apps has hit another hurdle after a federal judge blocked it while a legal challenge takes place.

A U.S. teenager uses her mobile phone to access social media on Jan. 31, 2024. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

An Ohio law requiring children under 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge as a legal challenge by a trade group representing social media companies’ proceeds.

Initially set to take effect Jan. 15, the law known as the “Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act” would require anyone in Ohio below the age of 16 to ask for parental consent if they want to sign up for a social media account, whether it be Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.