NetChoice, representing tech giants like Meta, Google, Amazon, Reddit, and Discord, is challenging Virginia’s SB 854, which would limit children under 16 to one hour of daily social media use without parental approval. The coalition argues that the law is an overreach of government authority, violating the First Amendment by restricting access to lawful online content. The lawsuit contends that the state’s requirement for mandatory age verification could expose users to privacy breaches and security risks, as platforms might implement more stringent verification practices, such as collecting government IDs or other personal information. In a statement, Paul Taske, co-director of the NetChoice Litigation Center, told The Verge that the law would infringe on minors’ ability to access valuable speech, drawing a parallel to how the government can’t regulate the amount of time someone spends consuming media like books or documentaries. The dispute has reignited debates about the balance between parental control and the rights of underage users to engage with digital content, with critics warning of the potential for data exploitation under such regulatory frameworks.