The Florida House of Representatives has approved a landmark legislation, House Bill 1, aiming to prevent individuals under 16 in the state from maintaining accounts on specific social media platforms, according to CNN.

The bill, known as Online Protections for Minors, passed the House with a decisive vote of 108-7 and has now advanced to the desk of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.

The Florida social media restrictions legislation proposes stringent measures for social media platforms, mandating age verification for account holders, prohibiting those under 16 from creating new accounts, and directing platforms to terminate accounts suspected to belong to individuals below the age of 16.

The bill's passage in the House came shortly after the Senate's endorsement with a vote of 23-14.

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Potential Implications of the Social Media Bill

If signed into law by Governor DeSantis, Florida would become the first state to effectively prohibit individuals under 16 from using popular social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, per NY Times.

However, the Florida social media restrictions bill may face constitutional challenges akin to laws enacted in Arkansas and Ohio last year, which federal courts blocked, citing potential infringements on the free speech rights of social media companies.

The regulations apply to platforms with certain features, including major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

While several states, including Utah, Arkansas, Texas, and Ohio, have enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to open social media accounts, the Florida social media restrictions go further by imposing a comprehensive ban on some of the most widely used social media applications.

Growing National Trend Concerning Social Media Regulation

The Florida social media restrictions bill reflects a broader national trend where parents, healthcare professionals, and lawmakers express concerns about the potential mental health and safety risks associated with prolonged social media use by young people, People reports.

Similar measures have been taken at both state and federal levels to increase scrutiny and regulation of social media companies.

The proposed legislation not only aims to restrict access to social media for Florida minors but also seeks to protect them from harmful content, including "patently offensive" sexual conduct.

Despite some adjustments to the legislation to align with Governor DeSantis's preferences, he has yet to officially endorse the bill.

The governor, who has historically wielded significant influence in the state, has not fully embraced the idea, sparking questions about his current level of clout.

Proponents of the bill argue that it addresses critical issues affecting children, including bullying, depression, social pressure, and potential dangers like human trafficking.

They believe the legislation could serve as a protective measure against online threats faced by Florida minors.

Conversely, opponents, including major social media companies like Meta, along with Democrats and Republicans, view the Florida social media restrictions bill as a violation of free speech rights.

Critics argue that the legislation deviates from Florida's tradition of empowering parents in their children's upbringing.

Similar legislation in other states has led to legal challenges, prompting Florida lawmakers to proceed with caution while pursuing this regulatory approach.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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