Protecting Free Speech of Social Media Users in Mississippi
Woodhull joined allies FIRE, Center for Democracy and Technology, Clay Calvert, Electronic Frontier Foundation, National Coalition Against Censorship, and the Student Press Law Center in this critical Supreme Court amicus brief to stand up for both free speech and fundamental human rights in the digital age. We believe that everyone—regardless of age—deserves the ability to safely access and share ideas online without unwarranted government censorship. The Mississippi law at issue, known as H.B. 1126, imposes broad social media restrictions on young people and adults alike, threatening these essential freedoms.
We are deeply concerned that laws like H.B. 1126 do not just restrict minors from engaging in open, honest conversations online—they also burden adults and limit everyone’s right to connect, learn, and express themselves. By requiring age verification and forcing platforms to limit access to a wide range of content, the law creates excessive barriers and could prevent people from sharing or receiving important information, including information about sexual health, identity, and rights. This is especially harmful to communities whose voices are already marginalized or misunderstood.
For Woodhull, defending free speech isn’t only about protecting what people can say; it’s also about protecting everyone’s right to access information, build community, and seek support online. When the government censors certain kinds of speech or makes it harder for people to communicate, it threatens both freedom of expression and key human rights. Blanket restrictions like those in H.B. 1126 risk targeting online spaces where open discussion about sexuality, identity, and well-being is needed most.
We joined this brief because we believe that upholding free speech and human rights requires vigilance, especially when new laws misunderstand the nature of online communities or respond to moral panics. Protecting children online is important, but it must not come at the expense of basic freedoms for either youth or adults. We will continue to fight for laws and policies that safeguard both free expression and human rights for all!