Underage Individuals Under 14 in Florida Prohibited from Utilizing Social Media Sites

In Florida, a new law prohibits kids younger than 14 from utilizing social media platforms. This regulation demands that social media sites eliminate existing accounts of minors under 14 within 90 days, or they might face penalties of up to $50,000 per violation. Florida allows minors aged 14 and 15 to utilize social media, but solely with parental approval.

House Bill 3, commonly known as the "Online Protections for Minors," received extensive, bipartisan backing from the state legislators, and it was signed into law by the Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis last year. However, Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody announced that she will postpone enforcing the law until late February, pending a judge's decision on a preliminary injunction request.

If the court approves the enforcement of the law, social media companies could encounter significant challenges in compliance.

"It's quite conceivable they will be implemented, although there will be various intriguing factors to monitor as the situation evolves," said Dr. Cliff Lampe, a professor of information and associate dean of academic affairs at the University of Michigan.

It is doubtful how many minors in Florida currently use various social media apps, thereby making compliance a complex task.

"One viable approach for enforcement could be to apply pressure on the Apple and Android platforms to 'de-platform' the application, and then impose IP blocks to make enforcement nearly automatic," suggested Lampe. "Socially, it would be intriguing to observe how active TikTok users adapt and react towards their limited options if such a restriction is enforced."

Florida Restriction—Is It Overstepping Bounds?

Advocates of the ban argue it is necessary to secure children online, but opponents contend that an all-out ban is too extreme. Nevertheless, no compromise has been reached yet.

"We aim to safeguard our children, keep them secure, and prevent harassment, bullying, and other issues that plague social media nowadays. But, is it reasonable to ban minors from social media platforms?" asked technology analyst Susan Schreiner of C4 Trends. "Up until now, safety was primarily the parents' responsibility—but in the digital world, what's the shared liability of the platforms, or do they disregard it?"

Can social media platforms be genuinely expected to act responsibly, and not conceal behind their continued claim of 'free speech'? At present, the tech companies seemingly haven't done enough to protect children online. Lawmakers have realized that more action is required, and if the platforms refuse to comply, legislation will be necessary to keep them in check.

"Consider the recent fall of the Kids Online Safety Act in the U.S., which had strong bipartisan support," said Schreiner. "In the past, it was relatively simple to enforce a ban on cigarettes for minors. It was fairly straightforward since it involved transferring a physical item."

This isn't the case with social media, which operates within a digital environment.

Even after the Florida law was enforced on Wednesday—which now prohibits children under 14 from having social media accounts and allows 14 and 15-year-olds to use accounts authorized by their parents—social media companies might not immediately remove those kids from their platforms.

The companies will still have their day in court.

"Additionally, Florida's Attorney General agreed not to enforce the law while litigation is ongoing in November," Schreiner clarified. "In October, parties filed a lawsuit against the Florida law, claiming that some states have 'taken it upon themselves to restrict minors' access to constitutionally protected speech.'"

If the ban is upheld, it may pave the way for other states to follow suit, potentially transforming the way social media functions in the future. This also occurs during a nationwide TikTok ban that is still pending.

"The U.S. has never banned a prominent application prior to this, although there is a historical precedent of shutting down individual smaller sites due to various reasons," added Lampe. "Usually, people adapt quickly to such situations. If the concern is national security, it appears there are more effective solutions than complete bans—but people often opt for the most visible solution."

The "Online Protections for Minors," also known as House Bill 3, aims to enhance online protections for children in Florida, including teens, by implementing stricter regulations on social media platforms.
The proposed ban on social media usage for kids younger than 14 in Florida, as part of House Bill 3, has sparked debates among technology experts and advocates, including those who question whether this ban is an overreach or an essential step towards children's online safety.
Under House Bill 3, social media companies will have to comply with the new regulations targeting minors' online activity, such as banning kids below 14 from using their platforms and requiring parental approval for 14 and 15-year-olds.
In light of the pending enforcement of House Bill 3, free speech advocates are concerned about the impact this ban will have on young users, as well as the ongoing litigation against the law that challenges the restriction of minors' access to constitutionally protected speech on social media platforms, like TikTok.
As Florida moves forward with House Bill 3, other states could potentially follow its lead and adopt similar measures to protect children's online safety, ultimately reshaping the landscape of social media usage for kids and teens across the United States.