DeSantis Vetoes Social Media Ban for Kids Under 16 But Says Will Sign New Bill

Other sharp critiques of HB 1 came from free speech advocates, including the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and the R Street Institute, a free market think tank.

Letter in OPPOSITION to House Bill 1: “An act relating to online protections for minors” https://t.co/75ESoXFFl6 @JGWithrow #flapol @GovRonDeSantis

— R Street Institute (@RSI) February 27, 2024

…HB 3 is likely to face similar opposition from free speech advocates as its vetoed predecessor. R Street fellow Shoshanna Weissman has been researching the topic of social media bans for minors as multiple states have debated, passed, and ended up in court defending various legislative attempts, and has commented on how — besides the substantial First Amendment barriers to such regulations — these laws pose significant privacy and cybersecurity risks.

“Preventing minors from accessing social media and requiring age verification means that all users in Florida will have to upload government IDs, face scans, social security numbers or other invasive means to endless platforms including TikTok, which many believe is a cybersecurity risk,” Weissman told Mediaite last month. “Age verification is identity verification particularly when a parent needs to approve a child’s use. The parent has to prove they are not only an adult, but the parent to the specific child.”