Supreme Court Defends Mississippi Social Media Age Verification Law

Author: admin | 19 Aug 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Mississippi to enforce its new social media law requiring age verification and parental consent for users under 18. 

The law, which intends in this case to prevent minors from accessing harmful online content, took effect following the Court’s refusal to block it despite ongoing legal challenges.

Industry group NetChoice, representing platforms including Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and others, argued in their appeal that the measure violates individual’s First Amendment rights. NetChoice argued that minors who cannot or choose not to verify their age or obtain parental consent would be blocked from accessing constitutionally protected speech.

In a concurring opinion, according to court documents, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the case presented serious constitutional concerns by NetChoice. Still, it has not been demonstrated that an emergency block was required at this time. The law was twice declared unconstitutional by a federal judge, but the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowed enactment in July.

The legislation requires social media firms to take clear steps to implement effective age-verification systems to block minors from harmful content. Penalties for violations may reach up to $10,000 for each instance. 

As reported, the Attorney General of Mississippi, Lynn Fitch, defended the regulation by stating that it was a necessary safeguard against online exploitation. She clarified that it was a negligible responsibility for platforms that are frequently targeted by individuals seeking to exploit minors.

The decision highlights a central dispute in U.S. digital regulation between the right to free speech and the safety of children on the internet. As the law has taken effect, social media platforms have encountered widespread resistance to its implementation, and constitutional issues have yet to be addressed.

State-Level Age Verification Regulations across the United States

Mississippi is not alone.  Other states, such as California, Florida, and Georgia, have passed similar age check laws, though most are legally challenged. The Supreme Court has not decided those cases, though last month it sustained a Texas statute that limits the ability of minors to access pornographic materials on the Internet.