Federal judge pauses Ohio social media law requiring parental consent for kids' accounts

An Ohio law regulating kids’ accounts on social media has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. The law, set to take effect on January 15, would have required parental consent before creating social media accounts for children under 16. The judge’s decision to pause the law is seen as a victory for the tech industry, which has been challenging various state social media laws aiming to regulate tech companies’ engagement with young users. Concerns about the impact of social media on mental health, especially for minors, have driven the introduction of these laws.