Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation on May 2, 2025, imposing a daily one-hour limit on social media usage for individuals under 16 years old. The law, part of the Consumer Data Protection Act, mandates social media platforms to implement age verification mechanisms and restrict minors’ screen time accordingly.
Under the new law, platforms are required to use “neutral age screen mechanisms” to determine users’ ages. Parents can provide verifiable consent to adjust their child’s time on these platforms. The legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Governor Youngkin has previously expressed concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health. In November 2023, he signed an executive order addressing the “youth mental health crisis driven by the effects of unrestricted cell phone use and addictive social media platforms.”
The law aligns with a broader national movement to regulate minors’ access to social media. States like Florida and Utah have enacted similar measures, reflecting growing bipartisan concern over the effects of social media on children’s well-being.
