Judge denies state’s motion to dismiss lawsuit over social media ban for minors

U.S. District Judge Mark Walker has denied Attorney General James Uthmeier’s motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit filed against the state over a law meant to protect minors from social media.

“This Court concludes that Plaintiffs’ have the better of the argument as to each ground for dismissal that Defendant asserts,” Walker wrote in his ruling .

The Computer & Communications Industry Association sued Florida in 2024 to challenge HB 3 , which went into effect this year as one of the strictest social media bans in the country. The new law prohibits children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.

CCIA, with its co-Plaintiff NetChoice, argued the law violates the First Amendment and other federal laws b