Florida's House passed a bill that would limit youth access to social media by banning new and existing accounts of users younger than 16 years old, per Axios.
The legislative proposal, known as HB 1, secured passage on Wednesday with a vote of 106-13, with a partial opposition from Democrats. This bill, a key focus for House leadership, is progressing to the state Senate within three weeks of the Florida legislative session commencement.
HB 1 seeks to mandate social media platforms to prevent minors from creating new accounts, deactivate existing accounts of individuals under 16, and implement age verification for account holders, with no parental permission exemption.
Before becoming law, the proposal must pass the state Senate and then be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. If successful, the legislation is set to take effect in July. However, based on experiences in Ohio and Utah with similar measures, legal challenges may arise.
Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, the bill's sponsor, likened social media to "digital fentanyl," emphasizing its addictive nature. On the House floor, McFarland, a mother of three, expressed the urgency to protect teens and Florida's future, acknowledging the preference for federal-level action.
Recent GOP-led policies impacting minors in the name of parental rights include the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill, book bans, and expansions of private school vouchers.
Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, who opposed the bill, highlighted the contradiction, stating, "In this bill, we’re saying parents have no ability at all to make the ultimate decision."
Remarkably, one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, a relatively progressive House member, criticized social media companies for profiting from children. The 2023 U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health revealed that nearly 95% of youths aged 13 to 17 use social media, with over a third indicating near-constant usage.
