Tech industry group NetChoice has filed a federal lawsuit to block Virginia’s unprecedented law that would restrict teenagers to just one hour of daily social media use without parental permission.
What’s Happening:
The lawsuit, filed November 17, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, challenges SB 854, which is set to take effect January 1, 2026. The law requires social media platforms to limit users under 16 to one hour per day unless parents grant permission for additional time.
To enforce this, platforms must use “commercially reasonable methods” like neutral age screens to identify minors and track their usage.
The Legal Challenge:
NetChoice argues the law violates the First Amendment and creates serious privacy concerns. “The First Amendment forbids government from imposing time-limits on access to lawful speech,” said Paul Taske, Co-Director of the NetChoice Litigation Center.
The group contends that the restrictions don’t just affect minors, they require platforms to monitor and restrict access for all users, raising significant privacy and security issues through mandatory age verification systems.
Virginia’s Defence:
Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill into law on May 2, 2025, framing it as a tool to protect children’s mental health. In a post on X, Youngkin stated: “More healthy, safe kids in Virginia, less social media. Bell-to-bell cell phone-free schools and new tools empowering parents to push back on daily social media use.”
The law aims to combat addictive features like infinite scroll and late-night notifications, building on amendments to the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act that already restrict processing of minors’ sensitive data.
What Happens Next:
NetChoice is seeking an injunction to block the law before its January 1 deadline. The group has successfully challenged similar state regulations in other jurisdictions, with courts frequently siding with them on First Amendment grounds.
Virginia joins California, Connecticut, New York, and Utah in attempting to regulate what they view as “addictive” social media platform designs. Legal experts anticipate a protracted battle, as Virginia must prove the law’s necessity without less restrictive alternatives available.
The Bigger Picture:
The lawsuit represents the latest flashpoint in a nationwide debate over how to protect children online while preserving free speech rights. As states increasingly legislate in response to youth mental health concerns, courts are being asked to draw the line between parental control tools and unconstitutional censorship.
Source: Webpro News
