A bill aimed at safeguarding children’s mental health on social media has been signed into law in another area.
The legislation prohibits children under 14 from accessing social media platforms and mandates parental consent for 14 and 15 year olds. It requires platforms to terminate accounts of under-14s and those lacking parental approval for ages under 16.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill on Monday and it is expected to come ito effect by January 1 2025.
Originally, the bill proposed a complete ban for children under 16, which DeSantis vetoed, asserting parental rights.
DeSantis emphasised the need to shield children from social media’s harmful effects, including anxiety and depression.
Meta, parent company of Instagram and Facebook, opposed the law, citing privacy and parental discretion concerns.
The legislation targets platforms featuring addictive elements like infinite scrolling, reaction metrics, auto-play videos and push notifications. It excludes messaging and email apps.
Social media companies must permanently delete data from terminated accounts and can face civil lawsuits for non-compliance.
Florida joins states like Utah, Arkansas and Ohio in enacting such regulations, reflecting growing national concerns about children’s online safety.
Critics argue the law encroaches on free speech rights, emphasising parental responsibility in overseeing their children’s digital activities.
The law’s passage sets a precedent for potential federal action and inspires similar initiatives in other states grappling with the same issues.
[Image created via MidJourney]