Caregivers weigh in on social media limitation law for minors in effect Jan. 1

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- In less than a week, we'll ring in the new year, meaning new laws are on the books for Virginians. There's one law that could limit your child's social media use starting on New Year's Day.

There is some wiggle room, though, for parents to influence their children's social media use.

Starting this Thursday, Jan. 1, Virginia law requires social media platforms to determine whether their users are 16 years old or younger. Kids younger than 16 will be limited to one hour per day per social media site, like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.

Parents and guardians will have the power to control whether that time limit stays the same.

"I do believe it's a good decision on certain levels, and I question the legality of it and how it's going to be enforced," said Donna Ingram, a grandmother of kids who use social media.

These new Virginia laws go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026

The sites' responsibility to determine their users' ages is a rule amended to the state Consumer Data Protection Act, originally written to regulate how businesses collect personal data.

Ingram said it's generally a good rule, but she also believes social media monitoring begins at home. She added that kids may be easily influenced.

"Children can be bullies on the internet. Children have been bullied on the internet," Ingram said. "Some children have lost their lives behind what they have been exposed to on the internet. That concerns me."

Her plea is for parents to pay attention to what their children are watching.

"A child's life is more valuable than trying to have them on some of these social media sites to learn a new dance move," Ingram said.

Working to install good values for her daughter, Rebel, Ashley Brandon already monitors content and usage at home.

"I see kids making glitter!" Rebel said while illustrating her social media use.

Brandon said she is grateful for the law, noting that a formal time limit may help restrict any inappropriate content for her daughter's age.

"I think when she's 16, we can have a conversation about what social media is or how it can be used, what kind of people are on it and how much time we should really be looking at it," Brandon said.

Meanwhile, NetChoice, a group advocating for free speech, has filed suit against the Commonwealth, saying it would be unlawful to put this barrier on how Virginians access free speech online. According to its website, no other action has been taken since a complaint was filed on Nov. 17.