Do minors have Constitutional "protected speech" rights?

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Minors do have some level of Constitutional "protected speech" rights, but these rights are not as expansive as those afforded to adults. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that while minors do possess First Amendment rights, these rights can be regulated to a greater extent than for adults due to the recognition that minors are still developing and may not yet have the maturity to fully understand or navigate the implications of their speech.

The concept of "limited rights" acknowledges that while minors are entitled to some protections under the Constitution, the courts permit schools and other institutions to impose certain restrictions on speech to protect younger individuals from harm and to maintain a conducive learning environment. For example, speech that is deemed disruptive in a school setting may be restricted.

Therefore, the correct answer reflects the nuanced understanding of minors' rights under the Constitution, recognizing their rights are not absolute but rather subject to limitations appropriate to their age and context.

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