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Stop Scrolling: Florida Passes Bill to Restrict Minors' Social Media Access

Florida's bipartisan HB 1 bill aims to restrict minors' access to social media, reflecting growing concerns about youth well-being in digital spaces. Meanwhile, Meta and Snapchat are quick to make appropriate changes.

Jack Shute January 26, 2024 — 4 minutes read

Stop Scrolling: Florida Passes Bill to Restrict Minors' Social Media Access

STOP SCROLLING! Or at least that will be the case for teens under 16 in Florida.

In a significant move, the Florida House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill aimed at restricting minors' access to social media.

The bill, known as HB 1, received a decisive 106-13 vote, signalling strong support from both sides of the aisle, albeit with some Democrats in opposition. This legislative development comes as a priority for House leadership, underscoring the urgency with which policymakers are addressing concerns surrounding youth engagement with digital platforms.

What will change?

Authored by Representative Fiona McFarland of Sarasota, HB 1 seeks to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms.

The proposed measures mandate that social media companies prevent minors from creating new accounts and terminate existing ones for individuals below the stipulated age threshold. Additionally, the bill advocates for the implementation of robust age verification mechanisms for account holders, excluding any parental permission exemptions.