Let Us Pray

In 2023, the Ohio state legislature passed a much-needed bill called the “Social Media Parental Notification Act,” which was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine. The law protects children from social media harms and defends parental rights. It allows parents to decide when and how their children use social media. The law requires social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and others to verify a user’s age, and if the user is under the age of sixteen, parental consent is required before the child can create an account.

Just days before the law was to take effect on January 15, 2024, NetChoice, which is a trade group representing companies like Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and others, filed a lawsuit challenging the law. NetChoice argued that the law was unconstitutional because it restricted minors’ First Amendment rights by infringing on free speech.

In April of 2025, Judge Algenon Marbley of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio issued a preliminary injunction against the law and then went on to permanently strike it down. The Ohio Attorney General, Dave Yost, appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing for the constitutional validity of the law. He also pointed out the need to protect minors from the harms that social media use poses. These harms include mental health issues, exposure to harmful material, and the addictive nature of social media use.

Praise the Lord, just days ago, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in a 2-1 decision reversed the lower court’s ruling restoring the “Social Media Parental Notification Act.” This is a massive win for Ohio’s parents and children. This law empowers Ohio parents to shield their children from the addictive features of these harmful platforms. Sadly, the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly failed to pass a similar bill with HB 227.

HB 227 would have required social media companies to seek parental consent when they know a child under 16 is on their platform and would have prohibited addictive features on accounts of children under 16. The bill passed the House with a unanimous vote of 96-0, but was killed by some leadership members in the Senate, which refused to allow the bill to even be heard in committee.

LET US PRAY…

Father, we praise You for this encouraging ruling from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to defend parental rights and protect children. Lord, may many more states, including Kentucky, pass laws that empower parents to protect their children from the harm that social media platforms cause. Father, as Big Tech will likely continue to fight these safety measures, please empower Your people to stand boldly and courageously for families and children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.