Va. lawmaker introduces bill to require social media platforms to get parental consent before allowing kids under 18 on platforms

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- State lawmakers are renewing their efforts to try and protect more kids from the dangers of social media.  “We would never allow someone to follow a young person around a store, write down what they look at and just bombard them with advertising for weeks on end and that is exactly what we are allowing on the internet,” said Senator David Suetterlein (R-Roanoke). Ahead of the 2025 General Assembly Session, Suetterlein has introduced a bill that would effectively require social media sites to get parental consent before allowing kids under 18 on their platforms. Currently, both state and federal law essentially require parental consent for kids under 13.  “It’s pretty rare for the Commonwealth or any government to make adulthood at 13,” Suetterlein said. “For tobacco and alcohol, it’s 21. We don’t let you get a driver’s license without your parental consent until you are 18.” Suetterlein’s bill would also require social media sites to get consent through “verifiable” means like having parents sign a form or by uploading a copy of their driver’s license.  Currently, many social media platforms allow users to self-report their age without verification.  “That same young person, we wouldn’t let them walk into a bar and say, 'no I’m 21,' and just leave it at that. It makes sense that we verify these things,” Suetterlein said. Lawmakers will consider the proposal when they convene for the 2025 Regular Session on Jan. 8.