Virginia Passes New Law to Protect Kids on Social Media
Virginia is taking a big step to protect children online. Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed a new bill that will limit how kids under 18 can use social media. The law requires social media companies to check the age of their users and get parents’ permission before letting minors create accounts.
What Does the New Law Do?
The new law, which will start on January 1, 2026, was passed by both Republicans and Democrats in Virginia’s General Assembly. Its main goal is to keep children safe from online dangers and to give parents more control over their children’s online activities.
- Age Verification: Social media companies must use “commercially reasonable” methods to check how old their users are. The law does not say exactly how companies should do this, but it must be a real effort.
- Parental Consent: If a user is under 18, the company must get clear permission from a parent or guardian before allowing the child to make an account.
- Enforcement: If a company breaks the rules, the Virginia attorney general can take them to court. Companies could pay up to $2,500 for each violation.
Governor Youngkin’s Statement
Governor Youngkin explained why he signed the bill:
“Parents deserve to be in control of whether their children access social media platforms,” Youngkin said. “This law gives parents a greater say and helps protect our kids from the dangers and addictive nature of these platforms.”
Why Was This Law Passed?
Many parents and lawmakers are worried about how social media affects kids’ mental health. They are concerned about things like:
- Online Predators: Strangers who want to harm children online.
- Cyberbullying: Kids being bullied or harassed through messages and posts.
- Harmful Content: Children seeing posts or videos that are not safe for them.
What Happens If Companies Don’t Follow the Law?
If companies do not follow these new rules, they can get in big trouble. The state attorney general can sue them, and each time they break the law, they might have to pay up to $2,500. In some cases, parents could also take legal action if their child’s safety is put at risk.
Supporters Say the Law Is Needed
Many people in Virginia support the new law. They believe it is important to protect children from the dangers of social media. Supporters say that parents should have the final say about when and how their children use these platforms.
Opponents Worry About Privacy
Not everyone agrees with the new law. Some technology groups and civil liberties advocates are worried about privacy. They say that checking a user’s age could mean collecting sensitive information from both kids and parents. They are also concerned that these checks may not really keep children off social media.
- Privacy Risks: Age checks might require kids or parents to share personal details.
- Free Speech: Some groups argue that the law could limit what young people are allowed to say online.
- Enforcement Challenges: Tech companies say it will be hard to make sure every user is telling the truth about their age.
Virginia Joins a National Trend
Virginia is not alone in passing this type of law. Other states, like Utah, Arkansas, and Louisiana, have also made laws to protect kids on social media. Some of these state laws have already been challenged in court by tech companies and advocacy groups.
People are debating whether these state laws are the best way to keep kids safe online, or if they make things more difficult for families and companies.
Calls for a National Solution
Governor Youngkin and other leaders say that it would be better to have one law for the whole country. Right now, each state can make its own rules, which makes things confusing for companies and families who use social media in different states. Youngkin said that a national law would be “more effective than a patchwork of state laws.”
What Comes Next?
The law will not start until 2026, which gives social media companies time to prepare. Lawmakers and experts will be watching to see how the new rules work, and if other states will pass similar laws. The debate about kids and social media safety is likely to continue across the country.
Key Points to Remember
- Virginia’s new law requires age checks and parent permission for kids under 18 on social media.
- It starts in 2026 and only applies to large social media platforms.
- Supporters want to protect kids from online dangers, but critics worry about privacy and free speech.
- Virginia joins several other states with similar laws, but many want a national solution.