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The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to temporarily block a controversial Mississippi law requiring age verification and parental consent for minors to access social media platforms. The law, which took effect earlier this year, requires users to prove their age before signing up for accounts on popular sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and mandates that minors obtain explicit permission from a parent or guardian before doing so.
A trade group representing companies such as Meta, Alphabet, and Snapchat requested an emergency intervention, arguing that the law infringes on constitutional free speech rights and could undermine user privacy for people of all ages. While the justices denied this appeal, Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted in a brief statement that Mississippi’s law may ultimately be found unconstitutional, but that NetChoice—the group challenging the law—had not shown immediate grounds for emergency relief.
For now, the law will remain in effect as the broader lawsuit proceeds in lower courts. The case is being closely watched across the country, as similar age verification and parental consent requirements are being debated or have been enacted elsewhere, reflecting mounting concern about the mental health and online safety of young people.
Supporters of the Mississippi statute argue it is needed to combat rising anxiety and depression associated with youth social media use. The Supreme Court’s decision does not end the legal fight, but it ensures the law remains in force while its constitutionality is sorted out.
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