DeSantis Signs Bill To Keep Kids Off Social Media

(LibertyInsider.org) – There’s a lot of concern about the dangers of children on social media. Not only do they have to worry about predators, but there’s also the fact that many believe it’s detrimental to their mental health. Many lawmakers have called upon the government to do something and now, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has signed a new bill.

On Monday, March 25, DeSantis signed HB 3, legislation that would prohibit social media platforms from allowing children under the age of 14 to have an account. Teens aged 14 and 15 would be allowed to sign up for a site. However, the platforms would need to obtain the parents’ permission before allowing the minors to use them. The legislation tackles more than just social media, too. It requires websites offering adult content to verify one’s age before users are allowed to access the material.

DeSantis puts final stamp on Florida law blocking kids from social media https://t.co/1jJs0h6w5g

— POLITICO (@politico) March 25, 2024

In signing the bill into law, DeSantis said it “gives parents a greater ability to protect their children.” He thanked state House Speaker Paul Renner for advancing the legislation.

It’s not clear how the law will work because children have been skirting the requirements — namely that of Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat — by entering false birth dates. This new statute follows another more restrictive law that would’ve banned social media for children under 16, which would’ve required a form of ID to join.

The legislation is also highly likely to face legal challenges from social media. NetChoice, LLC, a coalition of platforms including X, Google, and Meta, among others, has already challenged similar laws in other states, including Arkansas and Ohio. However, according to an NBC News report, Renner said the bill doesn’t violate the First Amendment because it doesn’t address speech directly but rather “the addictive features that are at the heart of why children stay on these platforms for hours and hours on end.” In terms of NetChoice, he said they will “beat them.”