The governor of Florida enacts legislation limiting children's access to social media

On Monday, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis enacted a law prohibiting children under 14 from having their own social media accounts, as outlined in a press release from the governor's office.

Under the new law, individuals aged 14 and 15 can create social media accounts only with parental approval.

Moreover, alongside the regulation of children's social media access, the legislation imposes limitations on pornographic websites.

Named HB 3, the bill mandates age verification for visitors to sexually explicit sites and is slated to become effective on January 1, 2025.

Florida joins several other states, including Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Ohio, and Utah, in enacting laws aimed at restricting young people's access to social media. Legal challenges akin to those seen elsewhere in the country are expected to emerge in response to this legislation.