The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, signed a bill on Monday that aims to protect young people from the negative effects of social media. Under this law, children under 14 years of age will not be able to have accounts on any social network, while adolescents between 14 and 15 will need parental authorization to use them.
The initiative was proposed to address concerns about the impact of internet giants on youth and help parents navigate the challenges of raising children in the digital age. The law also requires technology companies to delete accounts of children under 14 years old on social media platforms and establish age verification mechanisms on websites with pornographic content. This measure is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
Despite facing legal challenges, supporters of the law in Florida are determined to defend it in court. Social media companies have already declared the law unconstitutional and vowed to challenge it. However, proponents argue that addictive features such as automatic notifications and endless scrolling contribute to excessive screen time and negative effects on mental health.
Similar measures have been proposed in other states but have faced legal obstacles. The debate around regulating social media for minors continues, with concerns about free speech rights and online safety at its core. Overall, the goal of these laws is to create a safer online environment for children and adolescents in an age where technology plays a central role in their lives.
