Florida Passes Sweeping Bill to Keep Young People Off Social Media

  • The Florida House has passed a bill banning social media accounts for children under 16, regardless of parental approval.
  • The bill targets platforms that track user activity, allow children to upload material, interact with others, and use addictive features designed to cause excessive or compulsive use.
  • Private messaging apps are not affected by this bill.
  • The bill was supported by both Republicans and Democrats, citing concerns about cyberbullying, exposure to sexual predators, and the potential for depression, suicide, and addictive obsession.
  • Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, suggested alternatives like requiring parental approval to download apps and addressing the issue at a federal level.
  • Critics argue that the bill is a form of censorship and could disadvantage Florida’s youth compared to their peers in other states.
  • Other states have considered similar legislation, but most have not proposed a total ban.

Read more at: https://www.nytimes.com

Related articles:

  1. Florida House of Representatives approves bill to ban social media for kids under 16
  2. New York Governor Enacts Laws to Protect Minors on Social Media
  3. New York Takes Steps to Limit Children’s Access to Addictive Social Media Feeds