Virginia is setting new standards when it comes to protecting young people from the risks tied to artificial intelligence. With technology growing at lightning speed, the state has recognized the need to pay special attention to how AI chatbots interact with minors. Behind new rules and stricter laws, there is a clear effort to keep children safe from harm that can come from AI—especially in moments when they’re most vulnerable.
Aiming to Protect the Vulnerable
Recently, Virginia lawmakers have launched a series of regulations to limit how kids and teenagers can use AI chatbots. These changes are part of a larger movement aimed at protecting minors from conversations that could negatively impact their well-being. This is especially important when chatbots venture into sensitive areas like mental health and emotional support.
The urgency of these measures became clear after a tragic case in which a sixteen-year-old shared thoughts of suicide with a chatbot, only to later take their own life. Encounters like this shine a light on the dangers of relying on AI in situations where careful, human attention is critical. Virginia legislators seek to ensure that chatbots can notice dangerous language and route young users toward human professionals instead of trying to provide support on their own.
Key Safeguards and Rules
One of the main advocates for these reforms, Delegate Michelle Maldonado, is working to make sure that AI serves as a bridge to help, not a replacement for it. Proposed safeguards would stop chatbots from acting as therapists or giving emotional advice unless strict standards are met. The hope is to reduce risks for those who are most impressionable and need real human guidance.
But the measures go further than chatbots. Virginia is also moving to:
- Require clear labels on synthetic media, fighting the spread of misinformation,
- Prevent AI from buying up event tickets in large numbers (which can make prices skyrocket for regular fans), and
- Build in special protections just for children in its latest consumer data laws.
Stronger Controls on Social Media
These AI guidelines fit together with new rules governing social media. Under the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), which was updated in May 2025, minors can use social media for only one hour a day unless a parent allows more. Platforms must use reliable ways to check the age of their users, like age screening, and quickly spot when children are online.
“Social media” is defined broadly, covering most user-generated content platforms, not just traditional messaging services. By doing so, Virginia is making sure that its protections reach almost every corner of the digital world where young people spend their time.
Holding Tech Companies Accountable
Attorney General Jason Miyares has taken a vocal stance against exposing minors to dangerous chatbot content. He has joined other state leaders in demanding that big technology companies do more to protect children from AI-driven scams and inappropriate messages. The coalition is especially concerned about AI tools that can engage in sexualized conversations or romantic roleplay, even with children as young as eight. Their message to these companies is clear: child safety must come first, and companies must follow both legal and ethical rules.
A Careful Approach to Innovation
Governance of AI in Virginia isn’t meant to block progress. Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order calls for smart rules that keep up with AI’s pace but avoid unnecessary red tape. Lawmakers are focusing on specific AI uses and how they might affect real lives, rather than labeling all AI as risky. This balanced approach gives space for beneficial innovation while putting in checks where they matter most.
Leading in Digital Responsibility
By placing stricter limits on AI chatbot use for minors, Virginia is taking a leadership role in digital safety. Limiting the time and type of chatbot use, improving age checks and consent, holding companies accountable, and weaving these efforts into broader social media protections send a powerful message: the well-being of young people comes first. As technology evolves, Virginia stands as a careful guardian, using thoughtful regulation to light a safer path forward for its youngest citizens.
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