Supreme Court Delivers Decisive Victories for Parents and Children in Two Landmark Cases

June 27, 2025  

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University applauds the United States Supreme Court for issuing two landmark rulings that mark a turning point in the defense of parental rights and the protection of children from inappropriate and harmful content.  

In Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton and Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Court decisively affirmed what millions of American parents have long understood: they—not schools, bureaucrats nor pornographers—have the right and responsibility to protect the hearts and minds of their children. 

“These rulings reaffirm one of the most basic truths in a free society: parents, not the state or special interests, are the primary educators and protectors of their children,” said Greg Schaller, Director of Centennial Institute. “Today, the Supreme Court took a stand for families and the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution.” 

Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton: Shielding Children from Online Exploitation 

In Paxton, the Court upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for adult websites, rejecting the argument that online pornography platforms have an unrestricted First Amendment right to distribute explicit content to minors. Writing for the majority, Justice Thomas recognized a compelling state interest in ensuring that children are not exposed to graphic sexual material, particularly when those distributing it resist even the most minimal safeguards. 

This decision delivers a blow to an industry that profits by bypassing parental oversight and flooding the internet with unfiltered, explicit content. The notion that any adult content provider can make their material available to anyone, at any time, without restraint is incompatible with the constitutional rights of parents to protect the upbringing of their children. 

Mahmoud v. Taylor: Restoring Trust in the Parent-School Relationship 

In Mahmoud, the Court sided with parents who sued a school district for intentionally hiding controversial instructional material related to gender identity and sexual themes. This decision reaffirms that parental rights do not end at the schoolhouse gate. The Constitution does not permit public schools to subvert parental authority under the guise of pedagogical discretion. Transparency is not a burden; it is a constitutional obligation. 

The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is among the oldest fundamental liberty interests recognized by the Court. That right cannot be stripped away by unaccountable administrators or ideologically driven educators. 

Standing for the Next Generation 

These decisions come at a time when many parents feel increasingly sidelined in decisions about what their children see, hear, and learn. Centennial Institute applauds the Court for standing with families and for returning common sense to the law. We urge lawmakers, educators, and cultural leaders to follow the Court’s lead and reaffirm the importance of childhood innocence, family autonomy, and constitutional liberty. 

For press inquiries, contact Jon D. Wilke at Jon@alarryross.com.  

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