Florida Bans Social Media For Children Under 14: Will It Curb Addiction?

In recent news, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the latest bill which bans social media accounts for children under 14 and requires parental permission for 14 and 15-year-olds. This law was not easily implemented and comes with its own set of challenges. Prior to signing the bill there were wide speculations if it is constitutional or not and how would the social media companies react to this new law considering that thousands of accounts on social media are of kids under 14 years of age. The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

The law doesn’t name specific platforms, but targets social-media sites that rely on features such as notification alerts and autoplay videos that encourage compulsive viewing.

Social Media Companies To Sue The State of Florida?

Republican State House speaker, Paul Renner was motivated to pass the bill no matter what the circumstances and fight for it. He explained why the bill is necessary, “A child in their brain development doesn’t have the ability to know that they’re being sucked into these addictive technologies and to see the harm and step away from it, and because of that we have to step in for them."

The bill was under speculations of infringing the First Amendment rights of free speech enshrined in the United States of America's Constitution. The legal challenges were always existing in their paradigm.

The opposition, Democratic State House representative Anna Eskamani mentioned how “This bill goes too far in taking away parents’ rights, Instead of banning social media access, it would be better to ensure improved parental oversight tools, improved access to data to stop bad actors, alongside major investments in Florida’s mental health systems and programs.”

Paul Renner answered the speculations by saying that they would never let go of this bill since it is important for the youth and kids to be educated in the right way that doesn't disrupt their mental well being and intellect. The addictive features and formats of social media applications have disrupted many children's health. He mentioned that he expects social media companies to "sue the second after this is signed. But you know what? We’re going to beat them,” Renner remarked. “We’re going to beat them and we’re never, ever going to stop.”

The bill was passed with a majority  in Florida's both legislative chambers along with some Democratic members supporting the bill. Opponents who were against the bill rejected it by saying that the bill takes parents' rights away from their child and also separates a certain age group of people from the right to information which all American citizens are guaranteed regardless of their age.

The social media users agreed to the bill by saying how vastly Gen Z is affected due to endless scrolling, futile reels and at times dangerous and unsolicited content that is not age appropriate.