A big step forward is that the state of Florida has passed a new law that limits kids’ access to social media. Children younger than 14 are not allowed to make social media accounts because of this law. Also, people aged 14 or 15 will need permission from their parents before they can join any social media site.
The Specifics of the Law
The bill, HB3, says that kids younger than 14 can’t have social media accounts and tells the companies that run those sites to delete the accounts of kids who already have them. Legal problems could happen to companies that don’t follow this rule. To be more specific, they could be sued by the child who made the account, who could get up to $10,000 in damages. Additionally, businesses that break the rule may have to pay up to $50,000 in fines, plus court costs and attorney’s fees.
What Governor DeSantis Said
State of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law and stressed how important it is to help parents deal with the difficulties of having kids in the digital age. Notably, DeSantis had already vetoed a stricter form of the bill that would have banned kids under 16 from having social media accounts. The new law will go into force in January 2025.
More General Situation and National Actions
In the United States, efforts to control social media are still picking up speed. Because people are worried about the safety of children online, there have been talks about who is responsible for what on sites that suggest material to children. Several states, like Ohio and Arkansas, have passed similar rules to limit how much time teens can spend on social media. But these projects are often challenged in court by groups of businesses.
What Happens to Kids’ Mental Health
People who support the new rule say that kids who use social media too much can hurt their mental health and put them at risk of dangers like talking to sexual predators. The state of Florida wants to find a balance between online activity and safety by setting age limits and needing parental permission.
Keep up-to-date as other states think about taking similar steps to protect young people who use technology. 🌐📱
