In a move that is already stirring debate in households, Virginia has introduced a new law requiring social media users under the age of 16 to only one hour of screen time a day. This number feels shockingly small to a generation used to endless scrolling. While the intention may be to protect teens, this feels out of touch from the way society works today for the younger generation.
Becoming effective on Jan. 1, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Virginia law 59.1-577.1. Under the law, “[a]ny controller or processor that operates a social media platform shall limit a minor’s use of such social media platform to one hour per day, per service or application, and allow a parent to give verifiable parental consent to increase or decrease the daily time limit.”
When looking at social media, one must balance the pros and cons. While it can lead to many negative habits, social media plays an important role in students’ lives. As stated by the National Library of Medicine, It helps students stay connected with friends, family, and build community with others. It also helps with coordinating things in school, such as clubs and events.
According to the American Psychological Association, social media helps teens know that there are like-minded people out there, creating a sense of community. It is also suggested that creating healthy boundaries with social media helps make it so the negative factors do not take over.
Healthy ways to reduce screen time include setting reasonable screen time limits, which can be discussed with parents. Things like finding hobbies such as sports, art or reading and spending quality time with family and friends can allow teens to enjoy social media while maintaining balance in their daily lives.
While the intention of the law is understandable, the restriction feels like a stretch into teens’ personal lives.
Screen time is a topic which should be discussed and negotiated in households, not by the government. The government signed this law in May 2025, and it went into effect in January. This means that they did not consider all the time they had to gather information about teens’ opinions; the age group who are the most affected by the law.
With the law now in effect, students can take steps to have their voices heard by talking with parents about how the one hour limit affects their daily routines, social connections and free time. Participating in school discussions and sharing feedback when possible can help express these opinions to other adults and policymakers. By actively speaking up, students can help ensure that the law is balanced and reflective of their needs.
While Virginia’s screen time law may come from a place of care and concern, it misses the bigger idea that limiting social media use does not directly correlate to how teens manage their screen time. It’s rather a skill that needs to be learned, not from laws trying to control behavior without fully understanding it.
