Ohio Court Reinstates Minor Social Media Consent Law, Challenging Tech Firms

On June 18, 2026, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals restored Ohio's law mandating parental consent for social media users under 16. The decision marks a setback for NetChoice, a trade group representing major tech firms including Meta Platforms (META), TikTok, and Snapchat. NetChoice had previously secured court victories against similar legislation in states like California and Arkansas. The trade group, which initiated legal action against Ohio's law in 2024, contended the statute was overly broad, vague, and violated free speech protections.