Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law that prohibits children under 14 from having their own social media accounts.
Under this legislation, 14- and 15-year-olds must obtain parental consent to create social media profiles. Governor DeSantis highlighted the harmful effects of social media on children and emphasized that the new law empowers parents to safeguard their children.
Additionally, the law mandates age verification for pornographic or sexually explicit websites to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. Effective from January 1, 2025, Florida joins several other states, including Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Ohio, and Utah, in imposing restrictions on children’s social media access.
Advocates argue that the law will mitigate the negative impact of excessive social media use on children’s mental health. However, opponents raise concerns about potential violations of the First Amendment right to free speech, indicating that legal challenges similar to those in other states are anticipated.