Virginia House Bill HB562

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Commercial entity offering social media accounts; restricted hours for minors, civil liability.

Impact

The bill modifies the Code of Virginia by introducing a new section that enforces restrictions on social media access for minors. This is seen as a critical step in promoting internet safety by acknowledging the potential harm that unrestricted online engagement can have during late-night hours. By imposing civil liability on companies that fail to comply with this provision, the bill incentivizes these entities to monitor and enforce access limits more diligently.

Summary

House Bill 562 aims to regulate the access of minors to social media accounts during specific hours, specifically from midnight to 6 AM. The legislation places a responsibility on commercial entities that offer social media accounts, prohibiting them from knowingly allowing minors to access their accounts during these restricted hours unless explicit permission is granted by the minor's parent or legal guardian. This law targets potential negative impacts on minors' mental health and sleep cycles caused by late-night social media usage.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill addresses important health concerns affecting minors, including sleep disruption and mental well-being, there are arguments about the practicality and enforceability of the proposed regulations. Some may contend that the responsibility placed on commercial entities could lead to overreach, as it holds them liable for users' actions regardless of the technology used to access social media accounts. This raises questions about how effectively businesses can monitor and control access based on parental permissions, potentially leading to further legal complications.