Ninth Circuit Blocks Default Restrictions on "Like Counts" for Minors' Social Media Accounts, Upholds Default of "Private Mode"

From today's panel opinion in Netchoice, LLC v. Bonta, by Ninth Circuit Judge Ryan D. Nelson, joined by Judges Michael Daly Hawkins and William A. Fletcher:

Addressing the growing concern that our youth are becoming addicted to social media, California passed a law regulating how internet platforms allow minors to access personalized recommendation algorithms. NetChoice sued, arguing that the law violates the First Amendment. The district court preliminarily enjoined some provisions but largely left the law in place. NetChoice appeals the district court's denial of injunctive relief. With one exception, we affirm the district court.

There's a lot going on there, and some of the analysis turns on procedural or remedial features of the case, but here's a substantive First Amendment analysi