Ron DeSantis signs law banning Florida kids under 14 from social media

In a significant move that has sparked widespread debate and is expected to face legal challenges, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed into law one of the country's most restrictive social media regulations aimed at protecting minors. The new legislation, known as House Bill 3, prohibits children under the age of 14 from using social media platforms and requires those aged 14 and 15 to obtain parental consent before creating or maintaining an account. This groundbreaking law, set to take effect on January 1, 2025, positions Florida at the forefront of states imposing stringent controls on the digital activities of minors.

Governor DeSantis, in a statement, emphasized the detrimental effects of social media on children, citing concerns over mental health, exposure to online predators, and the potential for cyberbullying. "Social media harms children in a variety of ways," DeSantis stated, underscoring the legislation's aim to empower parents to better safeguard their children's online presence. The law mandates social media companies to delete existing accounts held by children and allows parents to request the termination of their child's account, further emphasizing the state's commitment to child online safety.

The legislation also introduces measures to verify the age of social media users while ensuring that their personal information remains anonymous and protected. Additionally, the law includes exceptions for email and other messaging services, distinguishing between social media platforms and other forms of digital communication.

House Speaker Paul Renner, a key proponent of the bill, highlighted the dark side of the internet, where children are vulnerable to various online threats. "The internet has become a dark alley for our children where predators target them, and dangerous social media leads to higher rates of depression, self-harm, and even suicide," Renner remarked, pointing to the urgent need for legislative action.

The passage of House Bill 3 marks a slight modification from a previous bill that sought to bar minors under 16 from social media, which Governor DeSantis vetoed. The current law, however, is not without its critics and is anticipated to encounter legal opposition similar to that faced by other states with social media regulations. In Arkansas, for instance, a judge halted a law requiring parental consent for children to create new social media profiles, setting a precedent for potential legal battles ahead.

Social media companies, including Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, have publicly opposed the Florida legislation, arguing that it infringes on free speech and hampers the ability of young people to connect and engage online. Despite these objections, Governor DeSantis remains steadfast in his belief that the law is a necessary step to protect children from the perils of unsupervised social media use. "You can have a kid in the house — safe, seemingly — and then you have predators that can get right in there — into your own home," DeSantis warned, highlighting the insidious nature of online threats.

As Florida prepares to implement one of the nation's most restrictive social media laws for minors, the debate over digital rights, parental control, and the role of government in regulating online activities continues to intensify. With legal challenges on the horizon and the potential for this legislation to set a precedent for other states, the conversation around social media use and child safety is far from over.