Virginia

Emerging Action

Virginia at a glance

Virginia mandates bell-to-bell phone-free schools.
Virginia has a reasonable childhood independence law.
Virginia's attorney general is actively holding tech companies accountable.
Virginia requires social media platforms to verify ages and limit users under 16 to one hour per day.
Virginia has not yet passed major laws that regulate harmful tech or hold companies liable.

Areas of Opportunity

Strengthening the statewide phone policy to require inaccessible storage will bring even more focus and connection back to Virginia's schools.
Setting a social media age minimum of 16 with no parental consent loophole will solve the collective action problem for Virginia families.
Passing laws that address harmful social media design and AI safety will protect Virginia's kids from manipulative technology.
Creating legal pathways for families to sue tech companies for harm will help Virginia hold big tech accountable.

These opportunities are within reach for your home state. Download our policy menu, reach out to us, and reclaim childhood in Virginia.

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Dive Deeper

Childhood Development Policies

Is the state helping to solve the collective action problems families face by adopting policies that support a healthier real-world childhood?

Distraction-Free Schools
Virginia mandates bell-to-bell phone-free schools, though it does not require inaccessible storage. View the state’s Phone-Free Schools Report Card.
Childhood Independence
Virginia has a reasonable childhood independence law that protects families who allow their children to engage in independent activities unless there is gross negligence.

Political Leadership

Is the governor championing kids' safety, and is the Office of the Attorney General using its power to hold big tech accountable?

Attorney General Leadership
Attorney General Jason Miyares has been active on tech accountability, joining the multistate lawsuit against Meta and calling for action on kids’ online safety by signing the AI Child Safety Letter, AI Chatbot Safety Letter, and xAI Grok Letter.

Tech Policies

What is the state doing to address harmful tech and hold companies accountable?

Social Media Age Limits
Virginia requires social media platforms to verify user ages and limit users under 16 to one hour per day. Parents can consent to increase or decrease the hour limit.
The law has a parental consent loophole, leaving the collective action problem for families unresolved.
Regulating Harmful Design
Virginia has not yet enacted any significant laws in this area.
Holding Tech Companies Accountable
Virginia has not yet enacted any significant laws in this area.
Incentivizing Safer Tech
Virginia has not yet enacted any significant laws in this area.

Family Perceptions

What do parents in the state say about their children's tech use, opportunities for independence, and real-life interactions?

IFS Resilient Childhood Score
Low. Virginia parents report that their kids experience:
- Low levels of independent, unsupervised activity
- Minimal time spent playing outside and socializing with friends
- High screen time, device ownership, and tech use

This page was last updated on March 4, 2026. The Childhood Index highlights key policies and actions and is not intended to be a comprehensive list. If there’s something you think we missed or should consider, we welcome your feedback.