Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs HB 3: Landmark Legislation Protects Minors Online
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new law, HB 3, to protect minors online. It focuses on social media use by children under 14. Effective starting January 1, 2025, it addresses online safety concerns.
Children under 14 can’t have social media without parental approval. HB 3 aims to protect minors from online dangers. Existing accounts for this age group must be deleted promptly. Florida prioritizes youth safety with this legislation.
Florida will ban anyone under 14 owning a social media account from January 2025, deleting existing accounts
The bill was signed today by Governor DeSantis PIC.TWITTER.COM/CIOMVPMBK3
— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) MARCH 25, 2024
For kids 14-15, parents must approve social media access. This rule promotes online safety for young users.
HB 3 brings rules for social media to protect young users. It focuses on features that boost engagement but could harm well-being. These include personalized algorithms, endless scrolling, and push notifications. Platforms must verify age to prevent minors from harmful content.
The ramifications of non-compliance with the law are grave for social media entities. Ignoring parents’ requests to delete accounts may lead to $10,000 fines. The Florida Department of Legal Affairs can fine up to $50,000 per violation. This shows how serious they are about enforcing rules.
Governor DeSantis, a key figure in Florida politics, strongly supports this law. It aims to protect minors from risks of unrestricted social media. As Florida’s 46th governor, he focuses on constituents’ well-being, especially digital literacy and online safety.
The enactment of HB 3 will spark legal challenges. Other states faced similar issues. Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Ohio, and Utah took similar paths. Legal obstacles emerged for some states. Florida is preparing to implement these measures. Expect intense legal discussions in the coming months. It’s about balancing child protection and free speech rights.
