Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis enacts social media ban for minors

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill barring minors under 14 from having social media accounts, regardless of parental consent, to tackle excessive screen time.

Under the law, effective January 1, 2025, minors aged 14 or 15 can access social media with parental consent. Unapproved accounts are subject to deletion.

While not specifying platforms, the law targets social media with features that encourage compulsive usage. Sites violating the law face fines of up to $50,000 per violation. 

The law mandates platforms to delete accounts of those under 14 and remove associated data upon request, with a 90-day dispute window.

Backers of the ban cite studies linking social media use to mental health risks in teenagers, while critics of the law raise privacy and free speech concerns.

Legal challenges are anticipated against the law, but Florida officials are confident in its legality.