US state Florida bans Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and other social media platforms for kids under 14: What is the law, how it will be implemented and more - Times of India

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Florida governor

Ron DeSantis

has signed a bill prohibiting minors under 14 from having social-media accounts. This follows similar efforts in other states that have been challenged in court. Here's all you need to know about this new law.

What is the bill banning social media

The Florida law also requires parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

The bill restricts teenagers below the age of 16 from using social media platforms. While the children under the age of 14 won't be allowed on these platforms, 14- and 15-year-olds will need parental consent. "Social media harms children in a variety of ways," DeSantis said in a statement, adding that the measure, known as House Bill 3, "gives parents a greater ability to protect their children."

The Florida legislation is part of a broader effort by some states to clamp down on social media companies amid rising concern over their impact on youth mental health and their role in spreading sexually explicit content. States such as Arkansas and Ohio have enacted laws requiring minors to secure parental approval for social media accounts. But those measures have faced legal challenges, as has a children's digital privacy law in California.

When will the bill come into effect

The Bill will become law on January 1, 2025.

How will the bill be implemented

According to the legislation, all social-media users in the state will be required to submit identification documents to verify their ages. It reportedly also requires them to use a third-party verification system to screen out those who are underage and let parents bring civil lawsuits against those failing to do so.

What Facebook, TikTok and other social media companies say

Netchoice

, a lobbying group that includes Meta, TikTok and Alphabet Inc.'s Google, had urged DeSantis to veto the bill, saying it was unconstitutional and would prove ineffective in protecting Floridians.

"HB 3 forces Floridians to hand over sensitive personal information to websites or lose their access to critical information channels," said Carl Szabo, NetChoice's vice president and general counsel told Bloomberg. "This infringes on Floridians' First Amendment rights to share and access speech online."

(With agency inputs)