Proposed TikTok ban for kids fails in Virginia’s Legislature
- Lawmakers questioned whether singling out one company was the right approach at a time of broad and rising concern about the effect of social media on youth
- The bill would have allowed a child’s parent or legal custodian to bring a lawsuit against TikTok if a child was provided access
A Republican Party legislative effort to prevent Virginia children from using the popular video-sharing app TikTok – an idea backed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin – died this week in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Del. Jay Leftwich of Chesapeake, was left in a House of Delegates committee after concerns were raised about how the ban would be enforced. Lawmakers also questioned whether singling out just one company was the right approach at a time of broad and rising concern from parents and lawmakers about the effect of social media on youth.
The bill’s lack of movement effectively killed the measure because of a procedural deadline Tuesday for most legislation to clear its chamber of origin. No comparable bill was introduced in the state Senate.
Youngkin framed his call for a ban on kids using the app, issued in a December speech, as a tool to help protect children’s mental health, part of a broader push by his administration on the issue.
Leftwich also said he brought the bill out of mental health and data privacy concerns for young people.