Florida Bans Teens Under 17 from Playing Social Media

Florida – Florida will be the first state in the United States (US) to ban children under the age of 17 from using social media platforms. 

With this, Florida follows similar policies that have been implemented by other US states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas. 

The ban is outlined in a bill submitted to the National Assembly this week after receiving majority approval through a vote of State Assembly members. 

The bill on banning access to social media for children was passed with a vote of 106:13 - a mix of Republicans and Democrats in the parliament. 

The bill includes regulations that any social media platform company must close accounts belonging to anyone under the age of 17 and implement a third-party verification system. 

The third-party verification system is necessary to facilitate the selection process of social media account owners who are found to be managed by minors. 

Social media platforms such as Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), TikTok, and X must delete accounts of minors in Florida and prevent them from creating new accounts, even with parental permission. 

If any social media platform violates these rules, they will have to pay damages of up to US$10,000 to the plaintiff. 

The bill claims that social media platforms have the potential to harm children's mental health, while the companies that operate them specifically create features that children and teenagers are addicted to. 

Deputy Press Secretary to the Governor of Florida, Julia Friedland stated that the bill still has to go through the legislative process. "The governor (Ron DeSantis) will review the bill once it is finalized and sent to our office," she said.