The new Florida state law stipulates that those under the age of 14 will not be able to open an account on any social media network (Getty)
Yesterday, Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law aimed at restricting the access of minors under the age of 16 to social media networks, in light of growing concern about the platforms’ influence on young people in the United States, according to what Agence France-Presse reported.
The law, which will come into effect next January in this state located in the southeast of the United States, stipulates that those under the age of 14 will not be able to open an account on any of the social media networks. Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 15 will need parental consent to register on these platforms.
The Republican governor said while signing the text: “We are trying to help the parents deal with a very thorny issue.”
Florida House Speaker Paul Reiner, the project's main supporter, welcomed the law's adoption.
“We know... that the number of crimes committed against children on social media is greater than anywhere else,” he said, adding, “We also know that social media has a devastating impact on the mental health of our children.”
Most platforms set the minimum age to open an account at 13 years, but it is easy to circumvent this rule.
Ron De Santis rejected another bill prohibiting the use of networks for those under the age of 16 (Reuters)
Some critics of the law say it is up to parents, not authorities, to monitor their children's social media use.
Others worry about potentially violating the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of expression.
Paul Renner ignored these arguments, saying that the platforms cause harmful addiction for underage users. "The constant exposure, likes and hearts that arouse enthusiasm" among users "encourages them to stay online longer," he said.
Ron DeSantis - a losing candidate in the race for the Republican Party nomination for the upcoming presidential elections - had rejected another bill prohibiting the use of networks for those under the age of 16, arguing that the text did not sufficiently take into account the wishes of the parents.
The governor has repeatedly said that parents should have greater control over decisions regarding their children, especially in educational matters.
In Florida, as in other states, lawmakers have sought to give parents more influence in areas considered controversial, such as teaching classes on topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Source: French