Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Enacts Law Prohibiting Minors from Having Social Media Accounts

Florida has implemented one of the most stringent social media bans for minors with a new bill signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.

Under the new law, social media accounts for children under 14 will be banned, and parental permission will be required for 15- and 16-year-olds. This law, which will take effect on Jan. 1, was slightly altered from an earlier proposal that DeSantis vetoed just a week before the end of the legislative session.

The bill, which was the top legislative priority for Republican Speaker Paul Renner, aims to protect children from the potentially harmful effects of addictive technologies.

Renner, speaking at the bill-signing ceremony in Jacksonville, emphasized the need for intervention to protect children who may not have the ability to recognize the harm caused by addictive technologies.

The bill that DeSantis vetoed initially would have banned minors under 16 from popular social media platforms without parental consent. However, after working out a compromise with Renner, a second bill was sent to the governor with revised language to address his concerns.

While similar legislation has been considered in other states, the supporters of the Florida bill are hopeful that it will withstand legal challenges by focusing on banning social media formats with addictive features rather than content.

DeSantis acknowledged potential First Amendment challenges to the law and expressed confidence that it will be upheld, despite legal battles that may arise.

The bill passed overwhelmingly in both chambers with bipartisan support, although opponents argue that it infringes on parental rights and interferes with decisions regarding children’s social media access.

Regardless of potential challenges, DeSantis and supporters of the bill remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting minors from the harmful effects of social media.