Judge extends hold on Ohio enforcing social media parental consent law

Columbus, Ohio — A federal judge extended a block on enforcement Monday of an Ohio law that would require children under 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps, as a legal challenge proceeds.

U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley's decision to grant a preliminary injunction prevents the law from taking effect while a lawsuit filed earlier this month by NetChoice winds its way through the courts. NetChoice is a trade group representing TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other major tech companies. The group is fighting the law as overly broad, vague and an unconstitutional impediment to free speech.

The law, originally was set to take effect Jan. 15 and is similar to ones enacted in other states - including California and Arkansas, where NetChoice has won lawsuits.