The bill is expected to face legal challenges.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/13548001

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.

  • CubitOom@infosec.pubEnglish
    2·
    9 months ago

    The party of small government, making it illegal for kids to socialize online.

    Serious question, what if a kid is disabled and bed bound making social media their only real connection to the outside world?

    What counts as social media? Obviously tik tok does but what about small online forms, or online video games with chat functionality?

    And it won’t stop the parents that have porn pages of their children that they sell for donations on sites like Instagram either.