Federal court clears Georgia’s under-16 social media law as critics warn Supreme Court fight looms – Atlanta News First

Federal court clears Georgia’s under-16 social media law as critics warn Supreme Court fight looms  Atlanta News First

Passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2024, the statute requires platforms to make “commercially reasonable efforts” to verify user ages and obtain parental permission before allowing anyone aged 15 or younger to hold an account. Non-compliant companies face state fines of up to $2,500 per violation. The law also bans targeted advertising to minors based on personal data and requires local school boards to restrict social media on school devices and Wi-Fi networks. ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A federal appeals court has cleared the way for Georgia to enforce its controversial social media law, vacating a preliminary injunction that temporarily blocked mandatory age verification and parental consent rules for children under 16.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that tech industry trade association NetChoice failed to prove Senate Bill 351 violates the First Amendment across the board, allowing the state to enforce the measure while litigation continues. Passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2024, the statute requires covered platforms to make “commercially reasonable efforts” to verify user ages and obtain parental permission before allowing anyone aged 15 or younger to hold an account. Non-compliant companies face state fines of up to $2,500 per violation. The law also bans targeted advertising to minors based on personal data and requires local school boards to restrict social