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A Florida House bill banning social media users under the age of 16 has passed the Senate floor, inching closer to becoming state law.
The bipartisan bill (HB1) was approved by the full Senate on Thursday by a vote of 23-14.
“I think a very long way to pass this bill is to make it as narrow and tailored as possible,” Senate sponsor Erin Goulart, R-Fort Pierce, said before the Senate vote. Ta.
Florida senators are making tweaks to HB 1 that, if passed, would ban minors in Florida from accessing apps like Tik Tok and Instagram. This is a priority for Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, who has said he wants to protect children from the harmful effects of social media.
Grall amended HB 1 last week to address concerns that it could violate the privacy of adult users and that it was too broad. He said there is a need to focus on the addictive features of apps and ensure tech companies properly verify users’ ages. This would help prevent the measure from being blocked by the federal government.
“We can’t just hold up a finger and say because Congress isn’t doing your job, we shouldn’t do anything,” Goulart said. Let the courts deal with this matter. ”
Phil Sears/Associated Press
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FR170567 AP
Prior to the bill’s passage, Stand with Parkland, a group founded by victims of the 2018 Parkland massacre, issued a statement saying it supports Florida’s social media ban. The group’s president said he believed this would keep children safe online.
Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, followed suit, joining the majority of Republicans who voted in favor of the bill.
“All I know is that I want to be a part of the movement to vote to do something. The problem of addiction exists in our children,” Lawson said. .
If HB 1 becomes law, children’s social media accounts will be suspended within 90 days. The bill now returns to the House, where lawmakers have a chance to consider the Senate’s changes.
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