Florida lawmakers took a significant step in their efforts to implement one of the strictest bans on children's access to social media platforms in the United States, as they sent a bill to the governor's desk to prohibit those under the age of 16 from using such platforms.
Florida's Move to Ban Children from Using Social Media
According to AFP, the proposed legislation aims to shield children from the perceived harmful effects of social media, including addictive features and potential risks such as exposure to sexual predators, cyberbullying, and mental health issues like teen suicide.
After passing the state Senate by a vote of 23-14, the bill returned to the House, where it received overwhelming support with a vote of 108-7.
Elena from Dresden has her hair ruffled by the wind as she stands on a visitors' platform on the Maintower in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, during stormy weather on February 22, 2017.
To become a law, the bill must be signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has expressed reservations about the legislation, particularly regarding parental rights.
During a press conference on Thursday, DeSantis emphasized the importance of parental consent in decisions affecting children, according to AFP.
The governor's stance aligns with his previous assertions advocating for greater parental control, evident in his support for legislation curbing certain educational content and initiatives in schools.
While proponents of the bill, such as Republican sponsor Erin Grall, argued that social media platforms exploit addictive features to harm children, critics contended that such legislation may violate constitutional rights, particularly the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech.
Similar efforts in other states have faced legal challenges, with a federal judge blocking an Arkansas initiative last year that sought parental consent for minors to open social media accounts.
What Would Happen if Florida Proceeds with the Legislation?
Most social media platforms have already enforced a minimum age requirement of 13 to create an account, although compliance monitoring is often lax.
If enacted, the Florida legislation would compel platforms to block children under 16 from opening new accounts and deactivate existing accounts held by minors.
The bill outlines criteria for identifying harmful design elements in social media platforms and mandates the removal of personally identifiable information from user profiles.
It also stipulates the verification of users' ages through third-party entities independent of the platforms. This comes on the heels of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' characterization of social media as a public health hazard and environmental "toxin," echoing growing concerns about its impact on youth.
Florida joins other jurisdictions, including Utah, in taking measures to limit minors' exposure to social media. Last year, Utah became the first state to prohibit minors under 18 from using social media without parental consent, with additional restrictions on usage during nighttime hours.
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