States Propose New Social Media Restrictions for Minors

States are increasingly introducing legislation to regulate minors' use of social media. Virginia's proposed Senate Bill 854 would limit social media access for children under 16 to one hour daily without parental permission, effective in 2026. North Carolina's House Bill 301 aims to ban social media for children under 14 and requires parental consent for those aged 14 and 15, with penalties for social media companies if they fail to comply. Similarly, Florida's SB 868 seeks to enhance online safety by mandating parental access to minors' messages and requiring platforms to decrypt messages for law enforcement investigations. These bills reflect a broader trend of legislative efforts to protect minors online, balancing child safety with potential restrictions on access to information and communication.