State of Virginia Limits Social Media Time for Kids Under 16. What Parents Should Know (2026)

The State of Virginia’s new law limiting how much time children under 16 can spend on social media apps took effect on Jan. 1, so platforms and families in the US state are starting to adapt.

What the Law Does

• Kids under 16 are limited to one hour of social media time per day on each platform (like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and others) by default
• Social media companies must try to verify a user’s age using reasonable methods (like age screens or settings) to decide whether the limit applies
• Parents can increase or decrease that limit using verifiable parental consent
• Any age information collected to enforce this rule can only be used for age verification, not for ads or other tracking

The measure is part of an update to Virginia’s broader privacy law, the Consumer Data Protection Act.  Supporters call this a proactive step to reduce excessive screen time, support youth mental health, and improve focus.

“We are gonna see kids on these Apps less and we’re going to see them engaged more with their academics and their friends or whatever they’re doing," said Virginia State Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg, a co-sponsor of the new law.

Families responding to the change voice mixed views. Some appreciate the structure, while others say good habits start with conversation at home. However, the law also faces a legal challenge from tech industry groups arguing that limiting access could raise free-speech concerns. A federal lawsuit is now underway to block enforcement.

Tips for Families

Limits like this can help spark important family conversations about why digital balance matters. Here are practical strategies parents can use:

• Talk about expectations together — Explain how screens fit into school, sleep, and family time
• Build rules as a family — Kids are more likely to follow screen limits when they help set them
• Model healthy habits yourself — Kids learn from what they see you do as much as what you tell them

Tools to Support Healthy Digital Habits

You can also create a safer digital environment with supportive tools. Bitdefender Parental Controls help families stay informed without invading a child’s privacy. With it, you can:

• Set healthy time limits across devices and apps
• Filter or block content that may be inappropriate
• Monitor how much time your child spends on specific apps or types of content

This combination of open conversation and smart tools can make it easier to help kids balance screen time with real-world activities.

FAQs

1. What exactly does this law do?
It requires social platforms to check if a user is under 16 and, if so, by default limit them to one hour per day per platform unless a parent chooses otherwise.

2. Can parents change the limit?
Yes, parents can adjust the daily time limit based on their family's needs.

3. Does the law give parents access to a child’s private messages?
No. The law only covers age verification and time limits. It does not allow access to a child’s private messages, posts, or personal account data.