Federal judge blocks Virginia law restricting teen social media use

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (7News) — A federal judge blocked Virginia from enforcing a new law that sought to limit how much time kids can spend on social media.

U.S. District Judge Patricia Tolliver Giles, based in Alexandria, Virginia, issued an injunction against the law, ruling in favor of technology trade group NetChoice that the legislation unconstitutionally infringed the free speech rights of adults, children, and NetChoice’s members, including Google, Meta Platforms, Netflix, Reddit, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Senate Bill 854, signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in early 2025, amends Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act by placing responsibility for use directly on social media companies operating in the state. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, social media users under the age of 16 in Virginia were limited to just an hour per day on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, unless a parent or guardian gives verifiable consent for more screen time.

“The issues in this matter are not to be taken lightly. The Court recognizes the Commonwealth’s compelling interest in protecting its youth from the harms associated with the addictive aspects of social media,” Tolliver Giles’ injection reads. “However, it can not infringe on First Amendment rights, including those of the same youth it aims to protect.”

Read the ruling below:

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones argues that these restrictions “protect [children] from addictive features,” per court documents.

On March 3, Jones filed to appeal the decision.