Virginia recently passed a law requiring social media platforms to limit usage for those under 16 to one hour a day. The law is designed to address growing concerns about teen mental health, attention spans, exposure to inappropriate content, and phone addiction related to social media usage. 

As the new year begins, lawmakers across the country are taking steps to change how teenagers use social media. While DC has not started to enforce screen time limits, nearby states and other countries are creating new laws that restrict teens’ use of social media.

Many students admit to spending far more time on social media than the proposed Virginia limit. “I spend around three hours a day on social media,” said freshman Kalyan Patel. That amount of time can have negative effects on teens’ mental health. “I know I’ve started to compare my life to others, and I realize that’s bad because social media is just a highlight reel of people’s lives,” Patel added.

Supporters of the law argue that setting limits can protect teens from the effects of constant screen time, reflecting an international trend with many countries, including Australia and Britain, implementing restrictions on social media. 

​One unique feature of the law allows parents to adjust the one-hour limit based on what they believe is best for their child, giving families more control over how social media impacts their child’s life. Similar to child controls and time limits that can be set by parents that are often enforced on teens’ phones.

However, questions remain about how the law will be enforced, as social media companies will be required to verify that users are over the age of 16 by using “commercially reasonable methods.” If they are not, the platform must be restricted to one hour a day. 

Lying about your age online is notoriously easy, and many already do it. “ I already do it, every platform I’m on thinks I’m 23,” said JR sophomore Kathy Mew. 

This reality makes students and senators alike skeptical that the law will be able to achieve its goals. With advocate of the law Virginia senator Schuyler VanValkenburg responding to criticism of the bill, saying , “ it’s really important to say that the perfect shouldn’t be the enemy of the good, and that by setting a new default, we are going to have a majority of young people who are at this one hour.”

Despite these concerns, many believe that the law could have a positive impact. Kathy said, “I think it will cause less doom scrolling, but I feel it like could destroy some online communities.” With an anonymous student adding, “Initially, I believe people are bound to be very upset, but I think they’ll get over it and see a positive effect.” Showing that while teens will likely at first resist the changes, there will be long-term benefits.

​Although D.C. does not currently have a law limiting teen screen time, these changes in Virginia and abroad could influence future discussions in the DC. For years, social media has been a part of teens’ daily lives worldwide, and with growing research about its potential negative effects on mental health, lawmakers are taking notice. •