Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law one of the most restrictive social media bans for minors in the United States.
The bill, signed on Monday, March 25, will prohibit social media accounts for children under 14 and mandate parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.
This move marks a significant step in addressing concerns about the impact of social media on young minds, as well as the addictive nature of these platforms.
The legislation, spearheaded by Republican Speaker Paul Renner, is aimed at protecting children from the potential harms associated with excessive social media use.
Renner stated that minors lack the cognitive maturity to recognize the addictive qualities of these platforms and make informed decisions about their usage.
The bill’s supporters argue that it is necessary to intervene on behalf of children who may be negatively affected by social media’s addictive features, such as notification alerts and auto-play videos.
The bill signed by Governor DeSantis was a revised version of a previous proposal that he had vetoed earlier in the month.
The initial proposal sought to ban minors under 16 from popular social media platforms without parental consent. However, following negotiations between DeSantis and Renner, compromise language was incorporated into the bill to address the governor’s concerns.
While the new law is expected to face legal challenges, supporters remain optimistic about its prospects. Renner anticipates that social media companies will challenge the law in court, but he expressed confidence in its constitutionality.
Governor DeSantis echoed this sentiment, promising his commitment to upholding both the law and the Constitution.
However, critics of the legislation argue that it may infringe on the First Amendment rights of young users and create barriers to accessing online information.
Khara Boender of the Computer & Communications Industry Association expressed skepticism about the law’s effectiveness in achieving its intended goals without impeding freedom of speech.
Despite the bipartisan support for the bill in the Florida Legislature, some Democrats have also raised concerns about its potential impact on parental rights.
Representative Anna Eskamani emphasized the importance of balancing online safety measures with parental oversight and investments in mental health support.
