DeSantis Signs Bill Barring Children Under 14 From Social Media Platforms in Florida

Lawmakers say they hope to protect children from addiction and online predators, and they insist the legislation does not violate the First Amendment.

Then-Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to his supporters after finding out the 2024 Iowa caucuses results at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 15, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Florida’s newest law cracks down on minors’ exposure to social media, in a move lawmakers say further elevates parental rights in the state and protects children from addiction, predators, and other dangers waiting in the digital realm.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 3: Online Protections for Minors in Jacksonville on March 25, prohibiting minors under 14 from using social media, requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds, and mandating age verification on sites with “harmful” content such as pornography.