DeSantis Vetoes Social Media Ban for Minors, Proposes Less Restrictive Alternative

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill banning social media use for minors under 16, favoring a new proposal that allows parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a proposed Florida law that would have banned social media use for youth under 16, citing concerns over parental rights.
The vetoed bill would have required social media providers to use third-party age verification to ensure compliance.
DeSantis supports a less-restrictive alternative bill, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to have social media accounts with parental permission.
The alternative bill aims to protect children from social media harms while upholding parents' rights and adult anonymous speech.
Several states have considered similar legislation, but Florida's new proposal hopes to withstand legal challenges with its focus on addictive features rather than content.