6th Circuit Court Restores Ohio Law Giving Parents Control Over Kids' Social Media Use
Big Win for Families as Court Rejects Big Tech Challenge to Parental Rights
A federal appeals court has handed parents a major victory by restoring Ohio’s law that requires parental consent for children under 16 to use social media and gaming apps. The divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ruled last week that the requirement is constitutional and targets real problems caused by unsupervised access to these platforms.
The law, signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in 2023 as part of a state budget bill, also requires platforms to share clear privacy information with families. Tech industry groups like NetChoice had sued to block it, claiming it violated free speech. The court disagreed, noting that the parental consent rule places only a small burden on companies while addressing serious harms to children from addictive platforms.
This decision pushes back against Big Tech’s resistance to basic safeguards. For years, companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok have designed apps that keep kids hooked, often exposing them to harmful content without meaningful parental oversight. Conservatives have long argued that parents—not distant Silicon Valley executives—should decide what is best for their children. This ruling supports that principle and recognizes the documented damage social media does to young people’s mental health and development.
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson called it a win for families. The case highlights a growing national push by states to rein in platforms that profit from children while fighting common-sense protections. More states should follow Ohio’s lead to put families first.
Sources / Further Reading
- Associated Press coverage of the 6th Circuit ruling: https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/court-orders-ohio-restrictions-on-kids-use-of-22311994.php
- Insurance Journal report on the decision: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/midwest/2026/06/22/874619.htm
- Ohio Revised Code § 1349.09 (full text of the Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act): https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1349.09
6th Circuit Court of Appeals Opinion (NetChoice, LLC v. Yost, June 2026): https://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/26a0177p-06.pdf
(Ohio Attorney General’s office: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/)