What is the new Virginia law that NetChoice is suing over?

The new Virginia law, signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in May 2025, will require social media platforms to limit minors under 16 to just 1 hour of daily use without parental permission.

What are the concerns about the age verification methods in the Virginia law?

NetChoice alleges the law's "commercially reasonable methods" for age verification, like prompting users to enter their birth date, could potentially be expanded by Virginia to include more invasive measures like submitting government IDs. This, they say, would burden minors' ability to engage with online speech.

Home / Technology / Tech Group Sues Virginia Over Strict Social Media Law for Minors

Tech Group Sues Virginia Over Strict Social Media Law for Minors

Q: Why is NetChoice challenging the Virginia law?

NetChoice is suing Virginia because the group claims the law violates the First Amendment by placing "unlawful barriers" on Virginians' ability to access free speech online. They also argue the law's age verification requirements could pose privacy and security risks.

18 Nov

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Summary

Tech group NetChoice sues Virginia over new law restricting minors' social media use
Law requires platforms to limit minors to 1 hour per day without parental permission
Lawsuit claims law violates free speech and poses privacy/security risks from age verification

Tech Group Sues Virginia Over Strict Social Media Law for Minors

In November 2025, the tech industry trade group NetChoice filed a lawsuit against the state of Virginia over a new law that will restrict minors' access to social media. The law, signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in May 2025, is set to go into effect on January 1st, 2026, and will require social media platforms to prevent kids under 16 from using their sites for more than one hour per day unless they receive permission from a parent.

NetChoice's lawsuit claims the law violates the First Amendment by placing "unlawful barriers" on Virginians' ability to access free speech online. The group also alleges the law's age verification requirements could pose privacy and security risks, citing a recent data breach at Discord that exposed government IDs of around 70,000 users.