Florida has enacted a controversial bill, HB 3, barring children aged 13 and under from holding social media accounts, requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Governor Ron DeSantis defended the move, citing concerns over the harmful impact of social media on children’s mental health. The legislation mandates social media platforms to terminate underage accounts and delete associated personal information.
Supporters argue that the bill is necessary to protect children from online risks and hold platforms accountable for data protection. However, critics, including social media giants like Meta, raise free speech concerns, claiming the legislation violates First Amendment rights. The bill also faces opposition from groups like NetChoice, which emphasizes parental authority and the need for educational resources over legislative mandates.
The bill imposes civil investigations and penalties on non-compliant platforms under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. It defines covered platforms broadly and targets features deemed addictive or harmful, such as infinite scrolling and push notifications. While similar laws have been considered in other states, the Florida legislation has drawn particular attention due to its broad scope and potential impact on online privacy and free expression.
