Minors

Court Blocks Arkansas’ Latest Social Media Law Aimed at Protecting Minors, Citing Free Speech Concerns

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In a significant decision, a court has once again declared Arkansas’ latest effort to regulate minors’ access to social media unconstitutional, marking a continued struggle between state governments and advocates of free speech and privacy. The struck-down Social Media Safety Act, also known as SB 689, follows the trajectory of its predecessor, SB 396, which fell to a similar fate earlier in 2023. The legislation aimed to impose stringent controls over how young people interact with social media platforms, requiring users to prove they are at least 18 or obtain parental … Read more

Wells Fargo Ordered to Pay Over $830 Million for Mismanagement of Seminole Tribe Minors’ Trust Fund

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Tampa, Fla. — In a landmark ruling, Wells Fargo has been ordered to pay a staggering $832 million for mismanagement and unauthorized fee imposition related to a trust fund that was set up to secure the futures of about 2,000 Seminole Tribe of Florida children. The financial institution, along with eight of its executives, faced accusations of breaching fiduciary duty in their handling of the Seminole Minors Per Capita Payment Trust. The trust, initially established with Wachovia Bank as the sole trustee two decades ago – prior to its acquisition by Wells Fargo in 2008 … Read more

Utah Judge Arrested for Allegedly Sending Explicit Content to Minors on Messaging Platform

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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A Utah judge, known for his engagement with community youth, was arrested on allegations of sending sexual images and videos to young girls via an online messaging platform, authorities revealed. Kevin Robert Christensen, 64, of Box Elder County, was apprehended by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Investigations into Christensen’s online activities began on Feb. 28 following tips about his inappropriate communications. Evidence gathered pointed to several explicit conversations with minors that dated back to last September. Notably, Christensen was reported to have exchanged sexually explicit material … Read more

Supreme Court Declines Appeal Challenging Tennessee Drag Performance Restrictions Involving Minors

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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court has recently decided not to take up a case challenging a Tennessee statute that imposes limitations on drag performances in venues accessible to children. This decision leaves in place the rulings by lower courts, which have sparked a vigorous debate about the balancing act between free speech rights and the protection of minors from adult-oriented content. The legal challenge was initiated by the Friends of George’s theater company after Tennessee passed the Adult Entertainment Act (AEA) in 2023, which bars what it classifies as “adult cabaret” from being … Read more