Sixth Circuit Revives Ohio Law Requiring Parental Consent for Minors on Social Media
The Sixth Circuit reinstated Ohio’s law requiring minors under 16 to get parental consent for social media use.
Why it matters: This decision shapes the legal landscape around minors’ digital rights, balancing parental control with free speech protections, critical for privacy and compliance in legal tech.
- The law was enacted as part of Ohio's $86.1 billion budget bill in July 2023.
- NetChoice challenged the law in 2024, citing First Amendment violations.
- A federal judge blocked the law in April 2025, calling it unconstitutional.
- On June 18, 2026, the Sixth Circuit reversed that block, deeming the law constitutional and allowing enforcement to resume.
On June 18, 2026, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated Ohio's law that requires minors under the age of 16 to obtain parental permission before creating social media accounts. This law, initially part of Ohio’s $86.1 billion budget bill signed in July 2023, aims to protect minors online by involving parents in decisions about social media use.
The legislation faced legal challenges from NetChoice, a trade group representing major social media companies such as TikTok and Meta. NetChoice argued the law was overly broad and infringed on minors’ First Amendment rights by restricting free speech and access to digital platforms.
In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley permanently blocked the law, ruling it unconstitutional. He stated the law was "constitutionally infirm," emphasizing protections for free speech.
However, the Sixth Circuit’s 2-1 decision reversed that block. The appeals court found the law constitutional, acknowledging the state’s interest in safeguarding children. It sent the case back to the lower court to vacate the prior injunction, allowing the law's enforcement to resume.
Paul Taske, Director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, responded by underscoring the ongoing commitment to defend First Amendment rights, stating, "An unconstitutional law protects no one." The decision highlights the complex balancing act between protecting minors online and upholding constitutional freedoms.
With this ruling, Ohio becomes a key jurisdiction influencing how courts and policymakers address parental control, children’s privacy, and free speech in the digital age. The law’s enforcement could compel social media platforms to implement mechanisms verifying parental consent, though specifics remain unclear.
By the numbers:
- $86.1 billion — Ohio's budget bill that included the parental consent law
- 2024 — Year NetChoice challenged the law in court
- April 2025 — Date when a federal judge blocked the law due to First Amendment concerns
- June 18, 2026 — Date when the Sixth Circuit reinstated the law
Yes, but: The law’s enforcement and technological implementation details remain uncertain, and further legal challenges are possible.
What's next: The case will return to a lower court to remove the injunction, enabling enforcement; NetChoice and social media companies may pursue further appeals or compliance strategies.