Florida Bans Minors from Social Media: What Every Parent Needs To Know

Florida has passed a bill that bans minors from having social media accounts. On March 25, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 3 into law, which is set to take effect on January 1.

Here’s what parents need to know:

How the Ban Will Work

• Children under 14 will not be allowed to create or possess social media accounts.
• Social media platforms will be required to terminate existing accounts suspected to belong to children under 14.
• Children between 14 and 15 will need parental or guardian permission to keep their accounts.
• Social media platforms will be required to use third-party age verification methods on new accounts.

What Constitutes a Social Media Platform?

HB 3 defines a social media platform as an online forum, website, or application that:

• Allows users to upload content or view the content or activity of others
• Has at least 10% of daily active users under 16 who spend an average of 2 hours per day or longer on the platform
• Employs algorithms that analyze user data or information on users to select content for users
• Has addictive features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, or auto-play video

Exceptions and Potential Challenges

The bill provides exceptions for online services, websites, or apps that exclusively provide email or direct messaging services.

However, the law’s implementation is not without challenges. A court case is set to be heard in February to determine the law’s legality, and similar bills in other states have been blocked or delayed due to First Amendment concerns.

What Parents Can Do

While the law’s implementation is pending, parents can take steps to monitor and control their child’s social media use:

• Set age restrictions on social media accounts
• Monitor your child’s online activity
• Have open conversations with your child about social media safety and responsibility

By staying informed and taking proactive steps, parents can help ensure their child’s online safety and well-being.