U.S. Supreme Court questions social media ban for sex offenders

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court may strike down a law that North Carolina said aims to stop child predators from reaching kids on social media.

In North Carolina, sex offenders are prohibited from using Facebook, Snapchat and other social media sites that allow children to be members.

The state said it's the virtual equivalent of keeping child predators out of playgrounds, parks and schools.

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether the law goes too far infringing on free speech.

The case centers around Lester Packingham, a convicted sex offender who used Facebook to celebrate beating a traffic ticket.

The four liberal justices seemed concerned about how broad the North Carolina law is, one saying it "dramatically" limits free speech. They also pointed out that it is illegal for sex offenders to communicate with the president and lawmakers who rely on Twitter on Facebook.

The state argued that the safety of children is the top priority and that sex offenders have other ways to exercise their first amendment rights.

Chief Justice John Roberts noted the lack of precedent in a case dealing with social media.

The state said that if the court strikes down the law, it will work to pass another one, saying it's about protecting children online.

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