Dean William McGeveran Interviewed by Star Tribune About Proposed Minnesota Law Requiring Parental Permission to Allow Social Media Accounts

Dean William McGeveran, William S. Pattee Professor of Law, was interviewed by the Minnesota Star Tribune about a proposed law, passed by the Minnesota state legislature, that would required children 15 and under requiring parental permission to have social media accounts. The bill won broad support from both parties, but its fate is uncertain. Gov. Tim Walz has not yet committed to signing it as similar efforts in other states have faced significant court challenges. The law would likely face a legal challenge from privacy advocates. Other states have tried to institute new age-verification measures, or encourage online companies to explore them, but most have been blocked by litigation and lobbying. Dean McGeveran said that courts have continued to hold that First Amendment rights cannot be compromised just for the sake of protecting children. He said, “If age-verification rules cause real strict obstacles for adults to get access, then they can be struck down.”