Social media, the internet, artificial intelligence, and new technologies have led to a complete societal shift in the last ten years. For this reason, some governments are already regulating social media use among young people. Specifically, starting January 1, 2026, a new law in the state of Virginia will require social media platforms to limit the use of their services to one hour per day for those under 16. Social media companies will soon have to limit the amount of time users spend on their applications; current usage of these platforms is considered excessive, and experts see regulation in this area as more than necessary.
The legislation aims to reduce the negative impact of excessive social media use on the mental health of children
The main concern is the amount of “wasted” time young people spend on these apps. The one-hour limit will apply to those under 16 in Virginia, and parents will be able to adjust it. The legislation aims to reduce the negative impact of excessive social media use on the mental health of children and teenagers, particularly the phenomenon known as doomscrolling, which involves compulsively consuming content over long periods of time. Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said, “It’s a good start and a good way for parents to have better control over their children’s social media use.”
The fact is that, although it may seem difficult to control, regulations require social media companies to implement age verification mechanisms to identify users under 16. Once age is verified, the platforms must automatically restrict daily usage to a maximum of one hour. “You see how much it hinders their ability to do well in school, and you see how much it hinders their socialization with their friends,” says VanValkenburg.
Parents or guardians will be able to extend the permitted time
It’s important to note that social media companies that only offer email or direct messaging will not be affected by the law. Companies like WhatsApp, for example. The law will apply to popular apps like Instagram and TikTok, among other digital content platforms. It also includes one exception: parents or guardians will be able to extend the permitted time through parental controls, if they wish. After this version was rejected in the Virginia House of Delegates, it was approved by legislators, even though the law has generated opposition from the tech industry.
Although the legislation was passed to limit the amount of time young people spend on their phones and initially included a ban on addictive content for those under 18, external opposition has been clear. A lobbying group representing social media companies, NetChoice, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, seeking to halt the implementation of the law. The bill mirrors a similar proposed law in Utah that would have restricted the times children can use social media. Among the arguments of those opposing the law is that it violates the platforms’ First Amendment right to free speech and is too broad, failing to identify specific harms directly caused by social media use by minors, according to the plaintiff.
The parent company of Facebook and Instagram has not issued any public comments on the law
It’s important to remember that the legislation initially failed to pass. Specifically, Utah Governor Spencer Cox was ultimately unable to implement it after a federal judge blocked it in September 2024. At the time, one of the main opponents was Meta. Currently, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram has not issued any public comments on the law, although it maintains information available about its age verification processes. Mental health experts have pointed out that, while the law alone won’t solve the problem, it represents a first step toward regulating digital consumption—an issue they consider essential for the development of future adults.