Florida took a significant step on Thursday toward implementing one of the toughest restrictions on children’s social media usage in the United States. The state Senate passed a bill aimed at keeping individuals under 16 off popular platforms, marking a controversial move in the ongoing debate over online safety and children’s mental health.
The legislation, approved with a vote of 23-14, reflects concerns about the detrimental effects of social media on young users, citing worries over addictive features, cyberbullying, and exposure to online predators. Sponsored by Republican Erin Grall, the bill emphasizes protecting minors from potential harm caused by excessive engagement with social media platforms.
Despite its passage in the Senate, the bill’s journey is not yet complete. It now heads back to the state House, which previously approved a version of the legislation. However, changes made in the Senate necessitate the House’s approval before the bill can proceed further.
Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has expressed reservations about the bill, particularly regarding parental rights. While acknowledging concerns about social media’s impact on children, DeSantis emphasized the importance of parental control in such decisions.
The proposed legislation aligns with previous actions taken by the DeSantis administration to give parents greater authority over their children’s education and access to certain materials. However, critics argue that such measures infringe upon constitutional rights, including freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Similar initiatives in other states have faced legal challenges, with courts blocking efforts to impose restrictions on children’s social media usage. Nevertheless, if approved and signed into law, the Florida bill would mandate social media platforms to enforce stricter age verification measures, prohibiting individuals under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts.