Protecting minors from potential online harms, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill on Monday that effectively prohibits children under the age of 14 from accessing social media platforms. The legislation, known as House Bill 3, also mandates parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds before they can use such platforms.
The newly enacted law requires social media companies to delete existing accounts for children and allows parents to request the termination of their child’s account. Governor DeSantis emphasized the necessity of this measure, stating that social media poses various risks to children and that the law empowers parents to better safeguard their children in the digital realm.
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Effective January 1, 2025, the law aims to protect minors’ privacy by compelling social media companies to anonymize and safeguard users’ personal information. However, it includes exemptions for email and other messaging services.
House Bill 3 was slightly amended from its original version, which sought to bar minors under 16 from social media entirely, a proposal that DeSantis ultimately vetoed. The legislation passed with bipartisan support in the Florida Legislature this month.
Acknowledging concerns about online safety for children, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner highlighted the dangers posed by social media, including the targeting of minors by predators and its association with increased rates of depression and self-harm.
While the law is intended to address growing concerns about the impact of social media on minors’ mental health and well-being, it is expected to face legal challenges similar to those encountered by other states with similar regulations. Nonetheless, Florida joins a handful of other states that have implemented restrictions on minors’ social media use in response to alarming trends in teen mental health across the country.
