# Virginia HB1816: Commercial entity offering social media accounts; restricted hours for minors, civil liability.

Virginia HB1816, Commercial entity offering social media accounts; restricted hours for minors, civil liability., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Ellen H. McLaughlin (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-02-04 (Left in Communications, Technology and Innovation) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1816-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB1816
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Commercial entity offering social media accounts; restricted hours for minors, civil liability.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-06
- Last action: 2025-02-04, Left in Communications, Technology and Innovation
- Sponsor: Ellen H. McLaughlin (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Communications, Technology and Innovation
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (6 yes, 4 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Commercial entity offering social media accounts; restricted hours for minors; civil liability. Provides that no commercial entity that offers social media accounts, as defined in the bill, shall knowingly or intentionally allow a minor to access his social media account during the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless the minor's parent, guardian, or legal custodian has provided permission for the minor to use such social media account during these hours. The bill provides that any commercial entity that violates these provisions shall be subject to civil liability for damages resulting from the interference with a minor's sleep cycle or mental health by allowing such minor to access to his social media account during the hours of 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. and reasonable attorney fees and costs.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Ellen H. McLaughlin (Republican), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-22 | House | Subcommittee recommends laying on the table | pass | 6 | 4 |   |
| 2025-01-14 | House | Referred from General Laws and referred to Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (6)

- 2025-02-04: Left in Communications, Technology and Innovation (House)
- 2025-01-22: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 4-N) (House)
- 2025-01-16: Assigned CT & I sub: Technology and Innovation (House)
- 2025-01-14: Referred from General Laws and referred to Communications, Technology and Innovation (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2025-01-06: Referred to Committee on General Laws (House)
- 2025-01-06: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25100322D (House)

## Bill text

- Amendment, 2025-01-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1025757.HTML)
- Introduced, 2025-01-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013099.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013098.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1025757.HTML)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013099.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013098.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1816-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).