A plain-English guide to Virginia’s bullying and cyberbullying law, written for school counselors and other school staff. Start with the summary, then open any section below for the legal details.
Bottom line for counselors: Virginia requires every school district to have a written bullying policy. The law covers cyberbullying but does not clearly reach off-campus behavior. Follow your district's reporting and investigation steps and keep careful notes.
Virginia's bullying law includes 10 of 14 key elements, which Lantern rates moderate. Cyberbullying can also be a crime under Virginia law. State law lets schools discipline students for cyberbullying. School phones: statewide ban (SB 108, April 6, 2026). Virginia also has 4 online-safety laws for minors, including Amendments to Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, SB854, Virginia Code Annotated Section 59.1-577.1.
Sources last checked: StopBullying.gov summary reviewed May 12, 2026 · school phone rules checked November 11, 2026 · online-safety tracker updated March 2, 2026.
Lantern · State profile
Moderate state protections · 10 of 14 key elements
- Covers cyberbullying Yes
- Reaches off-campus behavior No
- District policy required Yes
- Reporting & investigation rules Yes
- Staff training Yes
- Support for students involved No
- School phone rules Statewide phone restriction
- Online safety laws for minors 4 on the books
What this means for counselors
- Your district is required to have a written bullying policy. Find it, and learn who in your building receives reports.
- State law sets expectations for reporting and investigating bullying. Follow your district's steps and timelines, and keep careful notes.
- State law does not clearly extend to off-campus cyberbullying. Your district policy may still apply, so check it and talk with your administrator.
- Staff training is part of state law. Ask when training happens and make sure it covers cyberbullying and social media.
- Prevention education is expected. Classroom lessons on digital citizenship and online empathy fit here.
- Your state limits student phone use at school. Know your school's phone rules so responses to online incidents are consistent.
- Your state has laws on minors' online safety. They mostly regulate tech companies, but they are useful context when you talk with families.
What Virginia’s bullying law includes
- Bans bullying outright: included
The law clearly states that bullying is not allowed. - Defines bullying: included
The law spells out what counts as bullying. - Says where the rules apply: included
The law describes where the rules apply, such as school grounds, buses, events, or online. - Names protected groups: not included
The law lists characteristics, such as race or disability, that bullying often targets. - Districts must have a policy: included
Every school district has to adopt a written bullying policy. - Reporting and investigation rules: included
The law sets out how bullying is reported and investigated. - Consequences for bullying: included
The law describes consequences for students who bully. - Policy shared with families: not included
Districts have to tell students, staff, and families about the policy. - Support for students involved: not included
The law calls for protection or support, such as counseling, for students who are involved. - Policies reviewed and updated: included
District policies have to be reviewed and kept up to date. - Prevention education: included
The law requires or encourages bullying prevention lessons or programs. - Staff training: included
The law requires or encourages training for teachers and other staff. - Parent involvement: included
The law involves parents in preventing or responding to bullying.
Questions and answers about the law
How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations?
Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations include the following definition of bullying:
"Bullying" means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. "Bullying" includes cyber bullying. "Bullying" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.
Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-276.01 (2018)
Do Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
No, Virginia anti-bullying laws do not cover off-campus conduct.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Virginia school districts must include policies and procedures that prohibit bullying in district codes of student conduct. School district policies must be consistent with the standards for school board policies on bullying and the use of electronic means for purposes of bullying developed by the state board.
Do Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
No. There are no specific groups listed under Virginia anti-bullying laws or regulations.
Virginia schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.
Do Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
Yes. Virginia anti-bullying laws require districts to establish character education programs that include content addressing the inappropriateness of bullying.
Do Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
Yes. Virginia anti-bullying laws direct the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety to provide training for Virginia public school personnel in school safety, on evidence-based anti-bullying tactics based on the definition of bullying in state law, and in the effective identification of students who may be at risk for violent behavior and in need of special services or assistance.
Do Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. Virginia anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do Virginia anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
Yes. Virginia anti-bullying laws direct the principal of each school to notify the parent of any student involved in an alleged incident of bullying of the status of any investigation within five school days of the allegation of bullying.
Answers from StopBullying.gov, last reviewed May 12, 2026.
School phone and device rules
Statewide ban. Most recent statewide action: SB 108, April 6, 2026.
Source: Ballotpedia, checked November 11, 2026.
Online safety and social media laws for minors
These laws mostly place duties on apps, platforms, and websites, such as age checks, parental consent, or limits on addictive feeds. Several have been challenged in court.
- Amendments to Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, SB854, Virginia Code Annotated Section 59.1-577.1
In effect: January 1, 2026 · Status: blocked in court (in part or whole) - Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, Virginia Code Annotated Section 59.1-575 et seq.
In effect: January 1, 2023 - Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act amendment, HB707, amending, Virginia Code Annotated Section 59.1-575 et seq.
In effect: January 1, 2025 - Publishing or distributing material harmful to minors on the Internet – S 1515, Virginia Code Annotated Section 8.01-40.5
In effect: July 1, 2023
Source: Orrick Online Safety Law Tracker, updated March 2, 2026.
Legal citations, explained (10)
Each entry shows what the law or rule is about first, then its official name with abbreviations spelled out.
- Civil immunity for teachers under certain circumstances Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 8.01-220.1:2 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 8.01-220.1:2
- Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety created; duties Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 9.1-184 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 9.1-184
- Hazing unlawful; civil and criminal liability; duty of school, etc., officials; penalty Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 18.2-56 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 18.2-56
- Treatment of transgender students; policies Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-23.3 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-23.3
- Anti-bullying or suicide prevention materials; parental right to review Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-207.2:1 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-207.2:1
- Character education required Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-208.01 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-208.01
- Definitions Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-276.01 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-276.01
- Board of education guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-279.6 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-279.6
- Development of programs to prevent crime and violence Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-279.9 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-279.9
- Bullying and abusive work environments prohibited Law passed by the legislature Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-291.4 Read the text of Virginia Code Annotated Section 22.1-291.4
Official Virginia resources
Educational information, not legal advice. Laws change, so confirm with your district and state education department.
Find a school district in Virginia
Search by ZIP code, select a district on the map, or look one up by name. Each district links to a search for its own bullying policy, since district rules can go further than state law.
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