A.G. Griffin’s Team Fires Back in Court Over Kids’ Online Safety

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office is still battling tech giants in federal court over a law the legislature passed in 2023 to protect children on social media.

Around the country, state legislators have recognized that social media can be hazardous for teens. These platforms rely on specialized algorithms to suggest content to users. As users look at social media content, the algorithms make a point to recommend similar material in the future — a process sometimes called “rabbit holing.”

If users view inappropriate or harmful material on social media, the algorithm will suggest similar content in the future. As a result, social media platforms like TikTok often serve teens what some have called a steady “diet of darkness.”

That’s why Arkansas lawmakers have taken steps to protect kids online. The 2023 Social Media Safety Act by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jon Eubanks (R – Paris) is a good law that requires major social media companies to make sure minors don’t access social media platforms without parental consent. A social media company that violated the law could be held liable.

The law received strong support at the legislature, but tech giants — such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok — sued to strike down the Social Media Safety Act as unconstitutional.

In 2023, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks in Fayetteville issued an order stopping the State from enforcing the law. Earlier this year, Judge Brooks delivered a final decision blocking all of the Social Media Safety Act.

However, in April Attorney General Griffin’s team filed a motion to alter Judge Brooks’ bad ruling.

The A.G. argues that Judge Brooks should not have blocked all of the law — just the provisions that the tech giants had standing to challenge.

The A.G.’s team highlighted a section of the law that protects people’s private data online as one example of a provision that the court did not have the authority to block.

In response, the tech giants suing to block the law filed a motion opposing A.G. Griffin’s request to change the judge’s ruling.

Last week Attorney General Griffin’s team fired back in court, arguing the 2023 ruling was too broad.

While the legal tug-of-war continues at the federal court in Arkansas, the Attorney General’s team also has appealed to the higher court at the Eighth Circuit to overturn Judge Brooks’ decision.

As we have said for years, social media platforms are more than just websites or phone apps. These are multimillion-dollar businesses owned and operated by adults. The people who own and profit from these companies have a responsibility to protect children on their platforms. At the very least, they should not be able to register children as users and let those children post photos and videos on their platforms without parental consent.

Family Council is not aware of any attorney general in America who is doing more to hold social media companies accountable and protect children online than Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. We appreciate his willingness to stand against these tech giants, and we are confident our federal courts ultimately will let Arkansas protect children on social media.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Corporate “Pride” Fizzles in 2025

News outlets report that major corporations are more subdued when it comes to celebrating LGBT “pride” this year.

We wrote last week about how retailer Target has reduced its pro-LGBT merchandise — and they are not alone. According to CNN, “many retail chains and brands are going quiet” when it comes to LGBT “pride.” Some say nearly 40% of companies are scaling back their pro-LGBT marketing this month.

Ironically, many corporate pundits are blaming President Trump and the GOP for businesses opting out of “pride month” this year. Some claim the president is “weaponizing” federal agencies to go after pro-LGBT businesses. The truth is public backlash against pro-LGBT pandering has been happening for years, and businesses are finally catching on.

Back in 2022, Disney encountered pushback from families who did not appreciate the entertainment giant force-feeding liberal messages to moviegoers.

In 2023, Bud Light singlehandedly ousted itself as the best-selling beer in America after a pro-LGBT marketing disaster. Two years later, there is evidence that the Bud Light brand has never fully recovered.

Last year Target began to quietly reduce its pride-themed merchandise after experiencing significant pushback from customers in 2023.

Last July, John Deere — the world’s largest seller of farm equipment — announced it was moving away from pro-LGBT and pro-DEI activity. Not long after that, companies like Lowe’s and Walmart did the same.

The list goes on.

As we keep saying, it’s troubling when multimillion dollar corporations use their wealth and influence to promote radical LGBT ideologies — but it’s encouraging to see consumers are still willing to vote with their feet by choosing not to support that agenda.

As some have said, it proves that the “silent majority” is real when it comes to the transgender issue.

Maybe Corporate America is finally getting the picture.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Arkansans Believe Abortion Should Be Illegal: Survey

A recent survey by Pew Research Center shows most Arkansans believe abortion should be illegal.

Over the years, public opinion polling has shown time and again that most Arkansans are pro-life and strongly oppose abortion on demand.

Pew’s latest survey reveals how people’s views on abortion vary from state to state — and how many states are divided on the issue.

“In states like Nebraska and Utah,” Pew writes, “attitudes are split almost down the middle. In Wyoming, Kentucky and Louisiana, 54% say abortion should be legal while 45% say it should be illegal. But these differences are not statistically significant.”

According to Pew’s article, the survey found 57% of Arkansans believe abortion should be prohibited in all or most cases.

Pew notes, “Meanwhile, people in Arkansas are more likely to say abortion should generally be illegal (57%) rather than legal (41%). Arkansas is the only state where the balance of public opinion is against abortion by a statistically significant margin.

It’s been nearly three years since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. Today, abortion in Arkansas is generally prohibited except to save the life of the mother. The state legislature has passed good measures this year that further clarify those pro-life laws. And Arkansas has given millions of dollars to help support women with unplanned pregnancies and promote maternal wellness.

All of this goes to show that Arkansas is a deeply pro-life state when it comes to public policy as well as public opinion.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.