Florida Enacts Strict Social Media Laws for Minors, Bans Accounts For Children Under 14

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed a bill into law on Monday that imposes one of the most stringent social media restrictions for minors in the nation, pending anticipated legal challenges from social media giants.

The legislation, championed by Republican Speaker Paul Renner, focuses on protecting children from the perceived harms of social media addiction.

Under the new law, which will take effect on January 1, minors under the age of 14 will be prohibited from having social media accounts, while those aged 15 and 16 will require parental consent. The bill represents a compromise from an earlier, more stringent proposal that DeSantis vetoed shortly before the end of the legislative session.

Renner emphasized concerns about the addictive nature of social media platforms, arguing that children lack the cognitive capacity to recognize the potential harms and withdraw from them. The legislation aims to curb features deemed addictive, such as notification alerts and auto-play videos, rather than targeting specific content.

In addition to restrictions on teenage use of social media, the law also requires age verification for anyone who wants to visit pornographic websites.

While the bill received bipartisan support in the Florida Legislature, some Democrats and opponents argue that it infringes upon parental rights and raises First Amendment concerns.
They suggest alternative approaches, such as enhancing parental oversight tools and investing in mental health resources, rather than outright bans on social media access.

The move comes at a time when the US federal government is pushing for a ban on TikTok, and on a day when former President Donald Trump’s social media company ‘Truth Social’ made its debut on NASDAQ with market value of around $6.8 billion.

DeSantis acknowledged the potential legal challenges, particularly regarding First Amendment issues, but expressed confidence in the law’s constitutionality. He framed the legislation as a means to assist parents in navigating the complexities of raising children in an increasingly digital world.

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs HB3 to Protect Children from the Harms of Social Media https://t.co/9nylhaOIXI

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 25, 2024

The signing of the Florida social media laws comes amid broader debates over the impact of social media on child and teen development, as well as ongoing legal battles over free speech rights and government intervention in online platforms. Despite anticipated legal challenges from social media giants, supporters of the law remain steadfast in their commitment to its enforcement.
(With inputs from AP)
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