Virginia law would require social media apps to limit any user under 16 to one hour

RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia bill that would require social media companies to limit children under 16 to one hour per day on their apps was sitting on Gov. Glenn Youngkin's desk Thursday night, after passing in the General Assembly.

The bill, which would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, would also require apps to enforce a "neutral age screen mechanism" that would determine the age of its users. 

The bill was introduced by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico) in January, who called the law "a giant first step toward regulating social media and protecting our kids." 

VanValkenburg's bill had overwhelming support in the Virginia General Assembly, passing 97-0 in the House of Delegates in February, with the final version passing in a similarly triumphant 39-0 in the Virginia Senate.

Youngkin apparently thought the bill could go even further, asking the General Assembly to raise the restricted ages from younger than 16 to under 18. 

While the Senate unanimously approved these changes, the House would not hold a vote on Youngkin's amendments, leaving the "younger than 16" restrictions in the law. 

The Republican governor has frequently championed laws restricting social media and cellphone use among children and teens. In November, Youngkin signed Executive Order 43, which referred to "addictive social media platforms" as a "youth mental health crisis." 

Companies like Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, have rolled out parental control settings in the past year that they say would protect children under 16 from "sensitive content." The changes came after the social media company was sued by 41 states and Washington, D.C. in 2023 over mental health concerns that resulted from teens and children using its platforms. 

Sen. VanValkenburg would not comment Thursday night on the bill's chances of getting the governor's signature.