A bill to prohibit minors under 16 from using social media was sent to the Florida governor by lawmakers on Thursday, putting the state on the edge of implementing one of the strictest restrictions on children's use of the internet in the United States.
Amid concerns about internet hazards such as those posed by sexual predators, cyberbullying, and teenage suicide, the contentious law aims to safeguard children's mental health against the "addictive features" of such platforms.
The bill was approved by the state Senate 23–14 and then went back to the House, where it was voted 108–7.
It now goes to the governor's house, where Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has voiced doubts about the plan, must sign it into law. Earlier, judges denied similar attempts by other states.
"We are discussing businesses that are utilizing addictive characteristics to participate in widespread manipulation of our kids for negative purposes," Republican Erin Grall, the bill's sponsor, said in the Florida Senate on Thursday.
However, DeSantis raised issues around parental rights. He has previously stated that he understands worries about the effects of social media on children.
He stated at a news conference on Thursday that "a parent has the right to opt in".
The governor, who dropped from the race for president in January after a failed campaign, has frequently argued that parents need to have more authority over choices that impact their children, especially those related to education.
The governor, who dropped from the race for president in January after a failed campaign, has frequently argued that parents need to have more authority over choices that impact their children, especially those related to education.
Florida has passed legislation under DeSantis that bans the teaching of gender identity and sex education in schools and outlaws diversity initiatives at colleges that get state support.
In recent months, a large number of books that conservative parents and school boards felt were inappropriate for young readers were taken down from the state's school library bookshelves.
A law that targets particular social media use, according to some opponents, would be violating the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects the right to free expression.
The vast majority of social media platforms currently require users to be 13 years old to create an account, but they don't take numerous steps to implement this rule.
However, if the legislation is approved and implemented, the social media platforms must stop Florida minors under the age of 16 from opening accounts and close those that have already been established by them.
