A text voted on Monday must restrict the access of minors to social networks from January 2025, by requiring parental consent to register on these platforms.
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A law to protect minors from the harms of the Internet? Florida Governor Ron De Santis signed a law on Monday March 25 aimed at restricting the access of minors under the age of 16 to social networks. This text, which comes into force in January 2025 in this state in the southeast of the United States, stipulates that those under 14 will not be able to open an account on a social network. Teenagers aged 14 and 15 will need parental consent to register on these platforms.
“We are trying to help parents navigate very difficult terrain”, declared the Republican governor, unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination in the next presidential election, while signing the text. The Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and main instigator of the project, Paul Renner welcomed the adoption of the law. “We know (…) that more crimes are committed against children on social networks than anywhere else”did he declare. “We also know that social media has a devastating effect on the mental health of our children.”
Most platforms set the minimum age to open an account at 13, but this rule is easy to circumvent. Some critics of the law say it is up to parents, not authorities, to monitor their children’s use of social media. Others worry about a possible violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression.
