Florida is on the brink of enacting one of the nation’s strictest bans on social media use by minors. The bill, which aims to prohibit children under 16 from accessing popular social media platforms without parental consent, has been passed by both the Florida House and Senate, according to the Associated Press. He said. The measure currently awaits approval from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has previously expressed reservations about the measure.
The House approved the bill by an overwhelming 108-7 vote after the Senate approved it by a 23-14 vote. The Senate amendments are aimed at alleviating Gov. DeSantis’ concerns about privacy, a key issue highlighted by Republican Speaker Paul Renner.
This landmark law tracks user activity, allows children to post content, fosters interaction between users, and employs addictive features designed to encourage excessive use. Targeted at social media sites. Supporters of the bill, including Republican Sen. Erin Goulart, say the measures are necessary to combat the negative effects of social media on children, including increased suicide rates, cyberbullying and exploitation by predators. are doing.
Although other states are considering similar efforts, Florida’s proposal stands out because it would create a blanket ban on certain social media features based on their addictive nature, such as notification alerts and autoplaying videos. . This approach aims to avoid legal challenges by focusing on the platform’s mechanisms rather than the content it hosts.
But the bill has faced criticism for potentially violating First Amendment rights and overstepping parents’ authority to monitor their children’s online activities. Critics, including Democratic state Sen. Jason Pizzo, argue that parents, not the government, should be responsible for regulating children’s social media use.
Governor DeSantis acknowledged the potential harm social media causes to teens, but stressed the importance of parents’ involvement in monitoring their children’s online presence. Despite his reservations, House Speaker Renner is optimistic that a final version of the bill that addresses concerns about user anonymity will gain approval from the governor.
The bill has sparked debate among parents, with some, like Angela Perry of Central Florida, who support the bill’s intent but question how it infringes on parental rights.
If passed, the bill would require social media companies to terminate accounts believed to be run by minors and respond to requests from minors and their parents to close the accounts and delete related data. It will be done.