Florida Passes Law Restricting Social Media Use for Children
Florida has recently passed a new law that imposes restrictions on children’s use of social media platforms. Here are the key details:
Key Points:
- Starting January 1, 2025, social media platforms must shut down accounts of users under 14 and those under 16 without parental consent.
- Children under 14 in Florida are now prohibited from using social media platforms.
- Users aged 14 and 15 in Florida must obtain parental consent to access social media.
Account Termination and Verification:
The new law aims to protect children from online risks by mandating social media platforms to terminate accounts of underage users and implement a third-party verification system.
Statement from Governor Ron DeSantis:
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasized that social media can harm children and that the legislation empowers parents to safeguard their children.
Platform Restrictions and Exemptions:
The bill targets social media platforms with specific features like infinite scrolling, reaction metrics, autoplay videos, live-streaming, and push notifications. Platforms focused on email, messaging, or texting are exempt.
Parental Rights and Criticism:
An earlier bill aiming to ban children under 16 from social media was vetoed by DeSantis, citing parental rights. The current law allows parents to consent for older children.
Supporters believe the law will mitigate social media’s negative impacts, while critics argue it infringes on free speech rights and parental decision-making.
Opposition from Meta:
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, opposed the legislation, citing concerns about parental discretion limitations and data privacy issues.
