Republican lawmakers in the Florida House of Representatives advanced legislation aimed at protecting minors from harmful content on social media. House Bill 1 requires a ban on social media platforms for users under 16. It also mandates age verification services by a third party.
State Rep. Fiona McFarland, a Republican cosponsor of the bill, compared social media to “a digital fentanyl.” The legislation would allow parents to sue social media companies that do not remove their child’s account.
Florida Republicans say the legislation is part of an effort to reduce bullying, depression, and suicide linked to social media use. The bill allows exemptions for websites primarily used for emails, texts, and streaming services. However, it has drawn criticism for its vague language and potential infringements on First Amendment rights.
Lawmakers have not specified which social media platforms might be impacted. If it becomes law, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube could be exposed to potential legal liabilities. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, believes its social media platforms fall outside the scope of House Bill 1. Before passage, language was added to the legislation limiting its applicability to social media apps that feature “addictive, harmful, or deceptive design features.”
The Florida State Senate will take up the legislation next. If adopted, it will be sent to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis to sign into law.
