Florida Passes Law Banning Social Networking For Children Under 16

Florida youth under the age of 16 would be barred from using social media without parental approval, according to a bill passed by the Florida House of Representatives. AP.

According to US media, the bill does not say which platforms will be banned, but targets all social media that track user activity, allow children to post and interact with others, and use addictive features designed to cause excessive or compulsive use.

The bill does not address apps used for private messaging between individuals.

“They’re taking advantage of kids growing up.” That’s their business model. And why do they do it? To keep them hooked on the dopamine hits that the platform gives our kids with every autoplay, with every like, with every click,” said Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois, who is behind the bill.

The law was passed by 106 votes to 13, and the measure would require social networks to remove the profiles of anyone under the age of 16.

The bill still awaits approval in the Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans, as well as in the Florida House of Representatives.

House Speaker Paul Renner said the ban is one of his priorities on the state’s child protection agenda, along with a bill to restrict access to adult websites, which lawmakers also passed Wednesday.

“We need to deal with the negative effects of social networks and enable the good development of our children. “Florida has an obligation and an interest in protecting children, their mental health and their childhood,” Renner said.

The law would also require companies to permanently delete personal data collected from terminated accounts.