Judge temporarily blocks Ohio's new parental consent law for social media

Ohio's new law restricting children's access to social media won't take effect on Monday.

U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday that will block Ohio's new social media restrictions from taking effect for now.

The decision comes shortly after NetChoice, a trade association that represents Meta, TikTok and other technology companies, filed a lawsuit against Ohio on Friday. The group is challenging a new law that would require social media companies to get parental consent before allowing kids under the age of 16 to use their platforms.

Social media companies have fought similar laws passed in other states, saying they violate the First Amendment and are too difficult to enforce.

What it means:Ohio law to require parental consent for TikTok, Instagram blocked.

Marbley, in his Tuesday order, seemed to agree that Ohio's law was too broad. "Foreclosing minors under sixteen from accessing all content on websites that the Act purports to cover, absent affirmative parental consent, is a breathtakingly blunt instrument for reducing social media’s harm to children."

But Ohio lawmakers say the changes are needed to protect teenagers' mental health from an onslaught of addictive social media. Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted expressed disappointment in Marbley's decision.

"The negative effects that social media sites and apps have on our children’s mental health have been well documented, and this law was one way to empower parents to have a role in their kids’ digital lives," DeWine said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram announced it would restrict posts about self-harm, eating disorders and other content from users younger than 18. The move comes as states like Ohio impose their own restrictions on teen social media access.

Meanwhile, NetChoice celebrated its first victory with Marbley's ruling. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said he plans to defend Ohio's law vigorously and challenge the group's standing to file the lawsuit. A hearing is set for Feb. 7.

Read the order:

Federal judge blocks Ohio's new social media law temporarily | PDF | Standing (Law) | Injunction

Reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this article.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.