LIMA, OH (WLIO) - A trade group that represents tech companies is suing the State of Ohio over a new law that requires parental consent for kids 16 and under to use online platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta.
The new law was passed last summer and takes effect on January 15th. The NetChoice Trade Group filed a lawsuit against the state in federal court to block the law from taking effect. The suit argues that the law prohibits free speech and is too broad and vague. The law also requires social media companies to provide parents with their privacy guidelines, so that families can know what content will be censored or moderated on their child's profile.
Before the law was passed, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted called social media "Addictive and harmful to kids". He called the new lawsuit cowardly. NetChoice has won lawsuits against similar restrictions in California and Arkansas.
