On February 19, 2026, Virginia lawmakers passed a new communications law aimed at regulating social media use for minors in the state. The legislation, known as the Youth Online Social Media Protection Act, prohibits children under the age of 13 from creating or using social media accounts without parental consent. Additionally, the law requires social media platforms to implement stricter privacy and security measures to protect young users.The bill was introduced in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on children's mental health and well-being. Studies have shown that excessive use of social media can lead to issues such as cyberbullying, addiction, and depression among young people. By enacting this new law, Virginia aims to address these concerns and safeguard the mental and emotional health of its youth.Under the Youth Online Social Media Protection Act, social media companies operating in Virginia are required to obtain verifiable parental consent before allowing children under the age of 13 to create accounts on their platforms. This includes collecting and verifying the identity of parents or legal guardians through methods such as credit card verification or government-issued identification.Furthermore, the law mandates that social media platforms must provide parents with tools to monitor and control their children's online activity, including the ability to review and approve their child's friend requests, limit screen time, and set privacy settings. Companies found to be in violation of these provisions could face fines and other penalties imposed by the state.Advocates for the new legislation praise it as a necessary step towards protecting minors in an increasingly digital world. They believe that by regulating social media use for children, Virginia is taking a proactive approach to safeguarding the well-being of its youth.Opponents, however, argue that the law infringes on individual freedoms and parental rights to decide what is best for their children. Some critics also raise concerns about the potential impact on the business operations of social media companies in the state.Despite the controversy surrounding the legislation, Virginia Governor lauded the passage of the Youth Online Social Media Protection Act as a significant step towards promoting the health and safety of young people in the state. The law is set to go into effect on July 1, 2026, giving social media platforms time to comply with the new requirements.