Florida lawmakers pass ban on children’s social media, heading to governor

Lawmakers in Florida have sent a bill to the governor’s desk on Thursday, aiming to prohibit minors under 16 from using social media, potentially making it one of the strictest restrictions on children’s internet usage in the United States.

The contentious law, born out of concerns regarding online hazards like sexual predators, cyberbullying, and teenage suicide, seeks to protect children’s mental health from the perceived “addictive features” of various social media platforms.

The bill received approval from the state Senate with a vote of 23–14 before returning to the House, where it passed with a vote of 108–7. It now awaits the signature of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has expressed reservations about the proposal, despite similar attempts being denied by judges in other states.

“We are discussing businesses that are utilizing addictive characteristics to participate in widespread manipulation of our kids for negative purposes,” stated Republican Erin Grall, the bill’s sponsor, during the Senate session.

However, Governor DeSantis has raised concerns regarding parental rights, emphasizing the need for parental consent. He acknowledged worries about the impact of social media on children, stating at a news conference on Thursday, “a parent has the right to opt in.”

DeSantis, who withdrew from the presidential race in January following an unsuccessful campaign, has consistently advocated for increased parental authority over decisions affecting their children, particularly those related to education.

Under DeSantis’s leadership, Florida has enacted laws prohibiting the teaching of gender identity and sex education in schools, and has banned diversity initiatives at state-supported colleges. Additionally, numerous books deemed inappropriate by conservative parents and school boards have been removed from school library shelves in recent months.

Opponents argue that legislation targeting specific social media use may infringe upon the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects the right to free expression. Currently, most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old to create an account, but enforcement of this rule varies.

If the bill is signed into law and enforced, social media platforms will be required to prevent minors under the age of 16 in Florida from opening accounts and to deactivate any existing accounts established by them.