Virginia has appealed a federal judge's preliminary injunction that blocked a state law limiting social media use for children under 16 to one hour per day. The law, signed to shield children from addictive features and protect mental health, also mandated age verification for all users.
A trade group, NetChoice, sued, arguing the law violates First Amendment rights by restricting access to protected speech and overrides parental authority. The judge acknowledged the state's interest in protecting children but found the law overly broad.
The appeals court will now evaluate the likelihood of NetChoice's legal challenge succeeding on its merits.
Main topics: Virginia's social media restriction law for minors, the legal appeal and injunction, the First Amendment challenge by tech industry groups, and the debate over state intervention versus parental control.
Virginia has appealed a judge's preliminary injunction against a state law limiting children under 16 to one hour of social media use a day.
In a Tuesday court filing, the state âsaid it will â ask the â 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, âVirginia, to set aside the February 27 injunction from âUS District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles in Alexandria.
Signed by then-Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin last May, the law was intended to â shield children âfrom the "addictive" components of social media and protect children's mental health.
The law â also required all users to verify their âages. It had taken effect on âJanuary 1.
NetChoice, a trade group with dozens of members including Google, Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms and Elon Musk's X, said the law violated the First Amendment âby restricting access to constitutionally protected speech, a job best left to parents.
Giles, an appointee of â former Democratic President Joe Biden, said Virginia had a compelling interest in protecting children from social media addiction, but the state went too far.
The appeals court will assess whether NetChoice is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims.
In a Tuesday court filing, the state âsaid it will â ask the â 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, âVirginia, to set aside the February 27 injunction from âUS District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles in Alexandria.
Signed by then-Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin last May, the law was intended to â shield children âfrom the "addictive" components of social media and protect children's mental health.
The law â also required all users to verify their âages. It had taken effect on âJanuary 1.
NetChoice, a trade group with dozens of members including Google, Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms and Elon Musk's X, said the law violated the First Amendment âby restricting access to constitutionally protected speech, a job best left to parents.
Giles, an appointee of â former Democratic President Joe Biden, said Virginia had a compelling interest in protecting children from social media addiction, but the state went too far.
The appeals court will assess whether NetChoice is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims.
Meridiano
