Virginia begins enforcing 1-hour social media cap
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Virginia will start enforcing a law that requires social media companies to limit kids' use to one hour a day, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones announced this week.
Why it matters: The law was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, but enforcement had been on hold after tech companies filed a lawsuit to block it.
The big picture: Last year, Virginia became one of the roughly half-dozen states to pass legislation attempting to rein in kids' social media use amid concerns that social media use is driving a youth mental health crisis.
- Virginia's law requires social media companies (like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat) to set default one-hour time limits for users under 16 unless a parent consents to more (or less) time.
- NetChoice, a trade group representing tech companies, filed a lawsuit in November to stop the implementation of the law, arguing it violates teens' First Amendment rights.
The latest: The suit is still winding its way through the courts, but Jones said Monday his office will start enforcing it now.
- Social media companies found in violation of the one-hour limit will be notified and have 30 days to comply, per the AG's office.
- After that, big tech companies could face up to $7,500 in civil penalties for each violation.
- "Families are encouraged to report violations to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section by filing a complaint," per the office.
Jones' office also filed a motion to dismiss the case.
What they're saying: "I'm glad to see Attorney General Jay Jones taking on Big Tech. This bipartisan legislation is common sense, good for kids, and creates a more healthy culture around social media," State Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, who helped write the legislation, posted on X.
What we're watching: For a ruling from the Virginia courts in the initial suit.