"Federal Judge Abandons Mississippi’s Effort to Protect Kids from Online Predators, Siding with Big Tech Instead"
In a shocking move, a federal judge has blocked a Mississippi law aimed at protecting children from online predators, siding with Big Tech’s interests over the well-being of minors. The law, which would have required age verification for all and parental consent for teens to make accounts on social media sites, was set to take effect on Monday.
The Supreme Court’s Warning
The judge’s decision comes on the same day the Supreme Court issued a ruling in two cases challenging social media laws in Florida and Texas. While the Court sent the cases back to the lower courts, it made it clear that platforms’ content moderation and curation are protected speech. This sets a dangerous precedent for future tech regulations, as it gives Big Tech a free pass to prioritize profits over the safety of children online.
Big Tech’s Influence
NetChoice, the industry group representing Meta and Google, has been at the forefront of these battles, using its deep pockets and influence to challenge laws aimed at protecting kids online. The group has successfully gotten judges to block laws in California, Arkansas, and Ohio, claiming they would violate the First Amendment by impeding speech.
The Consequences
The consequences of this decision are severe. Children will continue to be exposed to harmful and explicit content online, with no meaningful protections in place to safeguard their well-being. Meanwhile, Big Tech will continue to prioritize its profits over the safety and dignity of children.
The Fight Isn’t Over
While the judge’s decision is a setback, the fight is far from over. Mississippi’s attorney general has vowed to continue fighting for this commonsense law, and NetChoice’s latest win may only embolden the group to challenge more laws aimed at protecting kids online. The Supreme Court’s ruling also leaves open the possibility that tech laws could be crafted in ways that don’t violate the First Amendment, but the guidelines it sets out for what is likely to violate the Constitution could make that a tricky path to follow.
The Real Issue
At the heart of this debate is a fundamental question: what is the role of government in protecting children from the dangers of the internet? While Big Tech may claim that its content moderation and curation are protected speech, the reality is that these platforms have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of children online. It’s time for policymakers to take a stand and prioritize the safety and dignity of children over the interests of Big Tech.