Starting January 1, 2025, new legislation will take effect in Florida that prohibits minors under the age of 14 from accessing social media.
The measure aims to protect children's mental health and give parents greater control over their children's online activity.
What does the new law imply?
The regulation establishes a total ban for those under 14 years old, meaning they will not be allowed to have accounts on social media.
Parental consent is required for individuals under 16 years old, meaning that adolescents aged 14 and 15 will need their parents' authorization to access these platforms.
Another requirement is mandatory verification. Platforms must implement an age verification system using third parties to ensure compliance with the law.
Companies are required to cancel the accounts of minors who do not meet the requirements set forth in the new law, which primarily seeks to protect the personal data of minors.
In this regard, companies must permanently delete all information collected from closed accounts.
Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, emphasized that this legislation "gives parents greater ability to protect their children" and addresses the growing mental health issues linked to excessive social media use among children and adolescents.
Debate on Legislation
The law has created a division between its supporters and opponents. Proponents argue that social media contributes to anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders in young people, and that it is necessary to limit their exposure in order to safeguard their well-being.
Critics argue that the regulation could violate constitutional rights such as freedom of expression, and that decisions regarding the use of social media should rest with parents, not the government.
Reactions from tech companies
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, expressed its opposition to the measure, citing concerns about user privacy due to the requirement to verify ages. However, it supported the idea of federal regulation to ensure parental controls on app downloads.
Florida joins other states such as Utah, Arkansas, and Texas, which have implemented similar measures to regulate children's access to social media. Experts anticipate that this trend may extend to more states in the near future.
The regulation also allows parents to sue companies that do not comply with the legal provisions, providing an additional tool to ensure the digital safety of their children.
The state of Florida seeks to balance the protection of minors and the rights of parents, while facing the legal and technical challenges posed by the implementation of this law.
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