The bill is expected to face legal challenges.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that will prohibit children younger than 14 from joining social media in the state. Those who are 14 or 15 will need a parent’s consent before they join a platform.

The bill, HB3, also directs social media companies to delete the existing accounts of those who are under 14. Companies that fail to do so could be sued on behalf of the child who creates an account on the platform. The minor could be awarded up to $10,000 in damages, according to the bill. Companies found to be in violation of the law would also be liable for up to $50,000 per violation, as well as attorney’s fees and court costs.

“Ultimately, [we’re] trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids, and so I appreciate the work that’s been put in,” DeSantis said in remarks during the bill-signing ceremony.

    • Maeve@kbin.social
      321·
      9 months ago

      That and he’s taking away any social support for kids that may not have any irl.

    • Ogmios@sh.itjust.works
      306·
      9 months ago

      How does not having a social media account keep people away from information? You can browse most social media sites without an account, and most actual information is hosted on other sites anyways.

      • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world
        225·
        9 months ago

        I don’t have social media and most links to Facebook, Twitter… MANY sites… redirect straight to a login page.

        Your DGAF always-logged-in xp is not indicative of the population who don’t use those services…

        • Ogmios@sh.itjust.works
          64·
          9 months ago

          Some sites are like that, sure ( I also don’t have accounts on any of those though), but once again, social media sites rarely host actual information itself. Certainly not important information at least.

    • VieuxQueb@lemmy.ca
      5·
      9 months ago

      How will they enforce this. By asking for ID. So YOU and ME can be tracked and harassed for being different than them.