NetChoice, a coalition representing major tech companies such as Meta, Google, Amazon, Reddit, and Discord, has filed a lawsuit against Virginia to block a new law that imposes a one-hour daily social media usage cap for children under 16. The lawsuit, which argues that the law violates the First Amendment, centers on the state’s requirement that platforms implement commercially reasonable methods for age verification. This includes prompting users to enter a birth date, a measure NetChoice contends could lead to broader privacy and security risks.
According to The Verge, the state’s law, SB 854, aims to protect children from the potential harms of excessive social media use, particularly in light of growing concerns about its impact on mental health and attention spans. However, NetChoice asserts that the law not only restricts minors’ ability to engage with legal speech but also introduces potential for government overreach. In a statement to The Verge, Paul Taske, co-director of the Netchoice Litigation Center, emphasized the importance of parental decision-making, stating,