DeSantis signs bill restricting minors' use of social media

Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill imposing restrictions on the use of social media by underaged residents.

Under the law, some social media platforms may not permit users under the age of 14 to make an account. It would further require websites publishing certain materials verify the age of users and attempt to prevent those under 18 from accessing their content, Politico reported.

The state legislature passed the bill earlier this month after DeSantis vetoed an earlier version over concerns it limited parental rights. The final version of the law grants parents the power to approve their 14-and-15-year-old children's access to content that the original version would have restricted to ages 16 and older.

The legislation will take effect Jan. 1, according to the Associated Press. House Speaker Renner, during the bill signing, highlighted his concerns that online platforms were using "addictive" features to lure underaged netizens into unhealthy engagement.

"A child in their brain development doesn’t have the ability to know that they’re being sucked into these addictive technologies and to see the harm and step away from it, and because of that we have to step in for them," he said.

The legislation has drawn scrutiny from media advocates and trade groups over free speech concerns. Florida House Speaker Paul Renner contended that the state was prepared to meet any legal challenges to the law.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.