An appeals court has restored Ohio’s law requiring children under 16 to obtain parental approval before using social media platforms, handing a setback to major technology companies challenging the measure.

A divided three-judge panel of the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the law does not violate constitutional protections and sent the case back to a lower court to remove a previous block on enforcement.

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The ruling came after NetChoice, a trade group representing platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Meta, challenged the law in 2024, arguing that it was too broad, unclear and restricted free speech rights. The group said the decision contradicted rulings in other states and vowed to continue its legal fight.

Judge Eric Clay, writing the majority opinion, said the parental consent requirement placed only a limited burden while addressing concerns over children’s unsupervised access to online platforms. Judge Alice Batchelder also supported the decision, saying a law is not unclear simply because it allows broad interpretation.

Known as the Social Media Parental Notification Act, the law was signed by Republican Governor Mike DeWine in 2023 as part of an $86.1 billion state budget package. Officials said the measure aimed to protect children’s mental health.

The law requires social media and gaming companies to obtain parental permission and disclose privacy policies. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson welcomed the ruling, saying parents, rather than technology companies, should oversee what children access online.