PREVIEW

Ron DeSantis Legalizes Social Media Ban for Children. The Florida governor signed the bill into law on March 25, 'The Guardian' reports. It takes effect on January 1, 2025. At that time, children under the age of 14 will not be allowed to have social media accounts in Florida. 14- and 15-year-olds will need parental permission to have a presence on social media. State House Speaker Paul Renner issued a statement in support of the new law. "A child in their brain development doesn’t have the ability to know that they’re being sucked into these addictive technologies and to see the harm and step away from it, and because of that we have to step in for them." Renner also said that social media companies will likely "sue the second after this is signed". "But you know what? We’re going to beat them. We’re going to beat them and we’re never, ever going to stop.", Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, via statement. Opponents argue that the new legislation is unconstitutional and a government overreach. "This bill goes too far in taking away parents’ rights." "Instead of banning social media access, it would be better to ensure improved parental oversight tools, improved access to data to stop bad actors, alongside major investments in Florida’s mental health systems and programs.", Anna Eskamani, Democratic state House representative, via news release. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT