TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WWSB) – The Florida House of Representatives today passed House Bill 3, the nation’s strongest bill to protect minors from addictive social media platforms and require age verification for adult online content.
House Bill 3 protects Florida’s children from addictive and harmful social media platforms by banning contracts for people under 14 to create social media accounts, and protects Florida’s children from addictive and harmful social media platforms by prohibiting contracts for people under 14 to create social media accounts. It gives minor children the ability to opt-in. Additionally, in order to restrict access by minors under the age of 18, adult websites that contain content harmful to minors are required to have a third party verify their age.
“Today, the Florida Legislature will protect children’s safety online and prevent big tech companies from using addictive features to keep children online,” said House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast). We passed the strongest legislation in the nation to protect the nation.” “Congress has worked hard to make this bill the strongest it can withstand scrutiny from Big Tech’s self-serving legal challenges. I am proud of the efforts of Representatives Farland, Reiner, Tramont, and Oberdorf to protect minors and withstand constitutional challenges, setting a new standard for other states to follow. This could not have been possible without Sen. Erin Goulart and our partners in the Senate. We also appreciate the governor’s genuine concern that made this bill even better.”
The bill focuses on addictive features that some social media platforms employ to target children, causing serious and irreversible harm. The law uses a narrow four-step test to focus on platforms that:
- 10% of daily active users are children under the age of 16, who use the platform for more than two hours a day (which equates to harm to their mental health).
- This platform employs addictive design features.
- The platform uses algorithms that collect personal information about each child and deliver ever-changing content to keep them on the platform for as long as possible.and
- The platform allows users to upload content and view content posted by other users, including strangers.
Social media platforms that fall under this criterion must ensure that minors under the age of 14 are not allowed to access the platform. But the bill would allow platforms to develop their own ways to achieve this goal. Platforms must also employ reasonable methods for parental opt-in for 14-year-olds and their 15-year-old minors.
Websites that host adult content that is harmful to minors must provide an anonymous third-party age verification method to verify that the user is 18 years old. User data must be deleted after verification.
The bill strengthens the attorney general’s subpoena powers to enforce the measure and outlines penalties for violations against social media platforms and adult websites. It also provides grounds for a parent to bring an individual action on behalf of a minor child.
“Florida is second to none when it comes to protecting the rights of parents and the safety of our children,” said Rep. Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island). “This study shows that social media platforms that use addictive features such as infinite scrolling, push notifications, and autoplay videos can have lasting negative effects on children’s developing brains when used for more than two hours a day. Today, we put our children on a new trajectory to lead healthier, more productive and happier lives.”
“Social media is designed with an insidious addiction that preys on the developing minds, especially of young people,” said Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota). “Platforms turn children into addicts, unable to leave their digital devices or ignore the constant barrage of notifications. I won’t allow it to function.”
“This is a generational bill that will save lives,” said Rep. Michele Reiner (D-St. Petersburg). “This is not a partisan issue. At this point, the state of Florida has taken a bipartisan position and said we will not allow social media companies to build their businesses on the backs of our children. has no choice but to act.”
“It’s past time for reliable third-party age verification of adult online content,” said Rep. Chase Tramont (R-Port Orange). “For too long, companies trading in adult content have received stares and nods from those tasked with protecting children. It should be more protected than clicking a box that says yes.”
“House Bill 3 assures parents that their minor children do not access adult content on the Internet. Liquor stores will be responsible for those to whom they sell their products. Adult websites will no longer be allowed. The same obligation will apply to Americans,” said Rep. Toby Oberdorf (R-Palm City). “I am proud of Chairman Renner and his colleagues’ leadership in making Florida a safer place for children.”
The bill now goes to the governor for his signature. If signed, this law will go into effect on January 1, 2025. For more information on HB 3, visit www.myfloridahouse.gov.
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