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Virginia lawmakers have recently passed a bill aimed at limiting social media use among children and teenagers under the age of 16, marking a significant step in addressing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on youth. The bill, passed just days before the end of the 2025 General Assembly session, seeks to mitigate the negative effects that excessive screen time and social media use can have on young minds, particularly in terms of mental health and attention spans.
According to WTVR news, House Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) voiced the concerns that led to the bill’s passage, saying, “Study after study has shown that too much time on social media is hurting our kids.” The legislation places a one-hour limit on the amount of time children under the age of 16 can spend on a single social media platform. Importantly, parents are given the flexibility to adjust this limit according to their child's needs. This new version of the bill replaces an earlier, more stringent draft that proposed a full ban on addictive feeds for users under 18. While that version passed the Senate, it was ultimately rejected by the House of Delegates.
Lawmakers explained that the revised bill seeks to address similar concerns but in a more legally feasible way, as legislation of this nature is facing challenges in other states. The bill aims to combat the growing issue of children spending excessive amounts of time online, which has been shown to contribute to decreased academic performance and weakened attention spans.
Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico), one of the bill’s advocates, emphasized that the revised bill is a crucial first step in putting guardrails around social media use among young people. “It gets at that issue of kids just spending their whole day online,” he said. “They’re losing their attention span, and they’re losing their academic success. This legislation is a really good first start.”
Republicans in the House of Delegates were also supportive of the bill, voting unanimously in favor of the measure. Del. Mark Earley (R-Chesterfield), who had sponsored legislation requiring parental consent for children to create social media accounts, expressed his frustration at the slow pace of progress on this issue. “I would love it to go further, but I’m also not going to spurn a step in the right direction when we’ve had such a struggle to get anywhere,” he said. Despite his disappointment that his proposed bills hadn’t gained traction, Earley acknowledged that the passing of the current bill was a win for children in the state.
While Democrats in the General Assembly noted that the current bill is a good starting point, they also indicated that there is more work to be done in the future. The uncertainty surrounding potential legal challenges to similar laws in other states, as well as concerns about federal regulation of social media, led to some limitations on what could be achieved this session. “This is a big step, but it won’t be the last,” said Speaker Scott, underscoring the ongoing commitment to addressing this pressing issue.
Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-Virginia) has also expressed concerns about social media’s effects on children, including in his “Reclaiming Childhood” initiative. His office stated that he would review the bill once it reaches his desk, and his final approval would allow it to take effect on January 1, 2026.
With the bill’s passage, Virginia has taken a notable step in regulating social media usage among young people, but the conversation is far from over. Lawmakers and advocacy groups continue to explore additional measures to protect children in the ever-evolving digital landscape, and the issue will likely remain a focus of future legislative sessions.
Spending excessive amounts of time on social media, doesn’t only negatively affect children. If you are struggling to control your social media use, you may be battling a social media addiction. Avenues Recovery rehab center treats all types of addictions, and can help you with your particular struggle. Our expert staff have helped over 40,000 people transform their lives and they can help you too. Contact us today to join our vibrant and non-judgemental recovery community, and to begin your journey to the addiction-free future you deserve.