Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law on Monday aimed at restricting access for minors under the age of 16 to social media platforms, amid growing concerns about the impact of these platforms on youth in the United States. The law, which will take effect in January, stipulates that those under 14 will not be able to open an account on any social media network. Teenagers aged 14 to 15 will need parental consent to register on these platforms.
The Republican governor stated while signing the bill: "We are trying to help parents deal with a very thorny issue." Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, the main supporter of the bill, welcomed its passage, stating: "We know that the number of crimes committed against children on social media is higher than anywhere else," and added, "We also know that social media has a devastating impact on the mental health of our children."
Most platforms set the minimum age for account creation at 13, but it is easy to circumvent this rule. Some critics of the law argue that it is up to parents, not authorities, to monitor their children's use of social media. Others express concern about potential violations of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of expression. Paul Renner dismissed these arguments, claiming that platforms lead to harmful addiction among minor users. He stated: "The constant scrolling and likes and hearts that excite users encourage them to stay online longer."
Ron DeSantis had previously rejected another bill that banned social media use for those under 16, arguing that it did not sufficiently consider parents' wishes. The governor, who is a losing candidate in the race for the Republican nomination for the upcoming presidential election, has repeatedly stated that parents should have greater control over decisions regarding their children, especially in educational matters. In Florida, as in other states, lawmakers have sought to give parents more influence in areas considered controversial, such as teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity topics.
