On Wednesday, Florida lawmakers made strides in advancing a bill that aims to prohibit social media platforms from permitting young teenagers to create accounts while enforcing age verification for all other users. The proposed measure specifically bars individuals under the age of 16 from establishing new social media accounts and mandates platforms to delete existing accounts held by minors below this age threshold.
In addition to deletion, the bill requires social media companies to eradicate any personal information associated with these accounts. Notably, the legislation advocates using an independent, third-party entity not affiliated with the social media platform to verify users’ ages.
The bipartisan bill secured a 106-13 vote in the Florida House and will now progress to the Republican-controlled Senate for further consideration.
During discussions on the House floor, Republican state lawmaker Fiona McFarland, a co-sponsor of the legislation, drew attention to the addictive nature of social media, likening it to “digital fentanyl.” She emphasized the challenges faced by both parents and teens in resisting the allure of these addictive features.
Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a warning regarding the potential dangers of social media for children. While acknowledging the need for further research, Murthy highlighted indicators suggesting a significant risk to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.
The bill does not explicitly name the social media platforms to which it would apply but broadly encompasses any platform utilizing “addictive, harmful, or deceptive design features” or features designed to instigate an “excessive or compulsive need” to engage with the platform.
Florida joins a growing number of states taking measures to limit teenagers’ exposure to social media. In 2021, Utah became the first state to prohibit individuals under 18 from using social media without guardian consent and imposed restrictions on usage during specific hours. Notably, the industry trade group is currently challenging Utah’s law in court.
Other states have implemented various measures, including safety assessments and algorithm changes for minors, while New York City declared social media a “public health hazard” on Wednesday.