Florida lawmakers seek ban on social media for under-16s

(Patria) - Florida yesterday took a step towards adopting one of the strictest bans on children's social media use in the US, after the state Senate approved a bill that would ban such platforms for those under 16.

The controversial bill aims to protect children's mental health from the "addictive characteristics" of such platforms, amid fears of online dangers, including sexual predators, cyberbullying, and teen suicides.

The bill, approved by a vote of 23 to 14, will now return to the state's lower house. The bill has already passed the lower house, but changes made in the Senate will need to be approved, reports RSE.

After that, the bill goes to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature, who has expressed doubts about the bill. Similar efforts by other states have previously been blocked by courts.

"We are talking about companies that use addictive characteristics to massively manipulate our children to harm them," said the bill's sponsor, Republican Erin Grall, in the Florida Senate yesterday.

DeSantis, who has previously said he understands concerns about the impact of social media on children, has expressed concern about parental rights.

"A parent has the right to be involved," DeSantis said at a press conference yesterday.

The Governor of Florida has repeatedly argued that parents should have more control over decisions concerning their children, especially in education.

Under DeSantis, Florida has passed laws restricting sex education and gender identity instruction in schools and eliminating diversity programs at state-funded universities.

A large number of books, deemed inappropriate for children by conservative parents and school boards, have been removed from the shelves of state school libraries in recent months.

Some critics say a bill restricting social media use would violate the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.

Last year, a federal judge blocked an initiative in Arkansas that required parental consent for opening social media accounts.

If the Florida bill is passed, platforms will have to block children under 16 from creating accounts and close those that are already open.