The bill was successfully passed by the House with an overwhelming vote of 109-4, marking a significant achievement for Republican Speaker Paul Renner during the 60-day session that concludes on Friday. The bill proposes a restriction on social media accounts for children under 14, along with the implementation of a parental permission requirement for 15- and 16-year-olds.
“We’re not opening a Pandora’s box, we’re closing one,” said Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois, who sponsored the bill. “The harm that it is causing our children is documented, and it is severe.”
DeSantis vetoed a bill on Friday that aimed to implement a comprehensive social media ban for minors, which would have been one of the most extensive in the country. However, he expressed his support for the bill’s concept and collaborated with Renner to develop new language.
In the original bill, minors under 16 would have been prohibited from accessing popular social media platforms, regardless of parental consent.
Renner expressed confidence that the bill, if it overcomes legal challenges, will have a significant impact on saving the lives of children.
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