Géorgie
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is actively defending the state's social media parental consent law, known as SB 351, in federal court. This legislation mandates that social media platforms obtain parental consent before allowing individuals aged 15 and younger to create accounts. The law aims to protect minors from potential online harms, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, and sexual exploitation.
On March 10, 2026, a hearing took place in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Jacksonville, Florida, where Attorney General Carr presented arguments supporting the constitutionality of SB 351. He emphasized the state's commitment to empowering parents with tools to safeguard their children's online experiences.
In 2024, the Georgia General Assembly passed SB 351, requiring social media platforms to verify users' ages and secure parental consent for those under 16. The social media industry's trade association, NetChoice, filed a lawsuit in 2025, challenging the law's constitutionality and seeking to block its enforcement. A preliminary injunction was issued by the District Court on June 26, 2025, temporarily halting the law's implementation. Attorney General Carr promptly appealed this decision, advocating for the law to take full effect to protect the health and well-being of Georgia's youth.
Attorney General Carr's brief highlights concerns about social media companies' awareness of the platforms' addictive and harmful effects on children. He references testimony from a whistleblower who revealed that Meta concealed internal research demonstrating these negative impacts. The brief underscores the necessity of SB 351 in addressing these issues and providing parents with the means to protect their children online.
The outcome of this legal battle holds significant implications for online child safety measures and the extent of state authority in regulating social media platforms. As the case progresses, stakeholders on both sides continue to monitor developments closely.
