Florida Wins Key Ruling Allowing It to Enforce a Law that Targets Social Media Use by Kids
The ruling leaves House Bill 3 in force while First Amendment challenges continue in federal court.
- On Wednesday, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Florida's law banning social media accounts for minors is likely constitutional, reversing a lower court's preliminary injunction. The decision allows House Bill 3 to remain in effect while legal challenges proceed.
- Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024, the law prohibits children under 14 from creating personal accounts and mandates parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. It targets platforms utilizing algorithms and 'addictive features' like infinite scrolling to engage young users.
- A unanimous three-judge panel applied intermediate scrutiny, concluding the statute is content-neutral because it regulates platform mechanics rather than specific viewpoints. The court noted the law 'doesn't burden substantially more speech than necessary' to protect minors from social media addiction.
- NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association criticized the ruling, with director Paul Taske warning it could force social media sites to verify the age and parental status of all users. The groups alleged this creates compliance burdens.
- While the legal challenges continue in district court, the law remains in effect across Florida. Several other states have implemented similar restrictions on youth social media access, which are also currently facing active legal challenges in court.
37 Articles
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Florida can enforce social media ban for children under 14, US court rules
A US appeals court allowed Florida to enforce its social media account ban for children under 14. The ruling rejects industry claims that the measure violates constitutional free speech protections.
Florida wins key ruling allowing it to enforce a law that targets soci
The state of Florida won a key court decision Wednesday that allows it to enforce a ban on social media accounts for kids under 14 and other restrictions. The law was one of the most restrictive in
Florida wins key ruling allowing it to enforce a law that targets social media use by kids – WTOP News
The state of Florida won a key court decision Wednesday that allows it to enforce a ban on social media accounts for kids under 14 and other restrictions. The law was one of the most restrictive in the U.S. on social media use by children when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it in 2024. The...
The Toronto Star
Florida wins key ruling allowing it to enforce a law that targets social media use by kids
The state of Florida won a key court decision Wednesday that allows it to enforce a ban on social media accounts for kids under 14 and other restrictions.
Appeals court lifts block on Florida law restricting social media access for teens
A federal appeals court panel has ruled that Florida’s 2024 law restricting access to social media for teens is likely constitutional and can continued to be enforced while the legal challenge continues. The decision by a three-judge panel of U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit reverses and vacates a preliminary injunction that had blocked […]
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