Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill restricting social media use for users below 16, set to become law on January 1, 2025.
Children under 14 are barred, while 14- and 15-year-olds require parental consent to use social media under the new law.
Governor DeSantis defended the legislation, citing harms to children from social media and emphasizing parental rights.
Critics argue the law infringes on free speech rights and assert that parental, not governmental, decisions should dictate children's online presence.
Social media platforms must terminate accounts of users under 14 and those under 16 without parental consent
Meta, opposed the legislation due to concerns over parental discretion limitations and data privacy.
Utah, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas, has implemented laws regulating children's social media access.