Jacob Ogles
Legislation filed late Friday would prohibit minors in Florida from having social media accounts.
State Reps. Tyler Sirois, a Merritt Island Republican, and Fiona McFarland, a Sarasota Republican, filed the legislation (HB 1). As written, the bill would require tech companies to enact reasonable age verification methods, prevent anyone under 16 from opening an account, and demand platforms delete any existing accounts for underage users.
“The data linking teen social media use and mental health is clear, and under Speaker (Paul) Renner’s leadership we will keep a product we know to be both addictive and harmful away from Florida’s youth,” McFarland said.
Of note, the designation of HB 1 is normally held for priority legislation for House leadership.
“Children are experiencing increasing rates of mental disorder and self harm, particularly young girls,” Sirois said. “As a Legislature and as parents, we have no greater responsibility than keeping our children safe. I want to thank Speaker Renner for his leadership on this issue. I look forward to working with my colleagues and stakeholders — including the social media industry — to reach an outcome that protects Florida’s children.”
McFarland has battled tech companies about content targeting minors before, and spent years on a data privacy bill ultimately signed into law in June.
The latest piece of legislation defines a social media platform as one where users can upload content or view materials put up by others, and where the companies providing the service can track the activity of users.
That covers such major platforms as Facebook, Instagram or X.
The legislation specifically excludes any exclusive communication software such as e-mail or direct messaging. It also exempts streaming platforms providing only licensed media that can be consumed by individuals.
But user-generated content puts a platform in the snares of the law. That seems to lump platforms like YouTube in with social media, while exempting streamers to only provide content such as Netflix or Disney Plus.
The legislation allows minors onto e-commerce sites, so long as user interaction is limited to posting reviews, and it excludes online gaming sites. It also allows for minors to access sites showcasing art, so long as the content doesn’t qualify as pornography. Similar exemptions exist for academic sites and for business services.
While the legislation requires platforms to develop means to verify age, it prohibits companies from using the information to push advertising content.
If minors or their parents ask for an account to be deleted, the bill requires platforms to permanently delete any collected data on the user.
The legislation places reporting mechanism requirements for potential harmful behavior, including cyber-bullying or threats of self-harm.
11 comments
Earl Pitts "Sage Keep Kids Safe Advisor" American
January 6, 2024 at 8:43 am
Good Mornting America,
Wait for it ….. the leftist trolls will see this “Sage Legislation” as setting back their “Pedopheila Desires” at least 20 years.
Be forewarned “Sage Patriots” your neighbors and even your relatives with “8iden (or any Leftist) Bumper Stickers” on any vehicle mostly want to “Scrump Your Kids” 24/7. [NEVER LEAVE YOUR KIDS ALONE WITH THESE PEOPLE.]
Be especially vigilant with Subaru SUV drivers and any model of Volvo driver as these are the “Ultra Red Flags”.
BACK-STORY:
America we are not sure exactly what the leftist/pedo attraction is to Subaru SUV’s & Volvos. But it is a 100% “Ultra Red Flag” just trust Earl on this as it may save your child.
IN CLOSING:
Thank you America,
*FREE BUMPER STICKER*
*EARL SAYS: “KEEP LEFTYS AWAY FROM KIDS”.*
Earl Pitts "Sage Keep Kids Safe Advisor" American
January 6, 2024 at 8:54 am
*queue Patriotic American music cranked up “Ultra Loud” to further whizz-off any pedo/leftys ….. as all pedo/leftys “Around The World” collectivally say “Curses ….. Foiled Again By Earl”*
JD
January 6, 2024 at 12:10 pm
See, we thought you would be more upset about this, as it’s your favorite pedo trolling ground, but then realized it’s because you’re now all a trolling, unsupervised, and unvetted employee of a voucher school. No more luring them to the back woodshed from online and finding they are undercover police for you EarL (with the big “L” for pedo-LOSER).
Your Besty Lefty (AKA Moderate to the far right fascist).
PeterH
January 6, 2024 at 11:05 am
Why are Republicans considering unenforceable legislation? Isn’t this a waste of time? Shouldn’t parents be monitoring their kids on line activities?
Tom
January 6, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Apparently, the party of small government wants to be all up in everybody’s business from women’s healthcare to a minor’s right to access the internet but when it comes to providing social security and medicare, they don’t want to know about it. They seem to be a very confused party these days. Wasn’t that long ago that Conservatives had an actual platform and you could like it or not but it was at least pretty well defined. Maga’s on the other hand have nothing concrete other than the pursuit of power for power’s sake and the demonization of anything perceived as even slightly liberal.
Earl's Long Suffering But Heavily Medicated Wife
January 6, 2024 at 11:14 am
Time for your pills, Earl. Put some pants on and stop bothering these nice people.
Dont Say FLA
January 6, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Mama? Is it really you?
JD
January 6, 2024 at 12:12 pm
I’m calling “parents rights” and how about you let me raise my kids how I and their mother see fit.
Fascists indoctrinators in the FLGOPityParty
Earl Pitts "Sage Keep Kids Safe Advisor" American
January 6, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Good afternoon America,
Did I or did I not tell you in my “Sage Post of Sage Wisdom” at the top that all the “PEDO LEFTYS” would go “Balistic” over setting back their 20+ years of hard work and m@sturbation at their version of “Paradise” which is “Legalized Pedophila”????
I, Earl Pitts American, do seem to recall telling you that.
PROVE IT EARL!
Well OK Dook 4 Brains Leftys:
Below is actual “Official Transcript Word For Word Proof Positive From An Official Records Request. (America it dont get any more “Official” than that”.
HERE YOU GO:
“Wait for it ….. the leftist trolls will see this “Sage Legislation” as setting back their “Pedopheila Desires” at least 20 years”
AMERICA I TOLD YOU SO.
Earl Pitts “Keeping Kids Safe From Leftys” American
Ron Forrest Ron
January 6, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Consistent with their position on school shootings, Florida G0P’s position on social media corporations’ rampant abuse of children is, “shoot the victims.”
AnonUntilAgeVerificationStripsThatAway
January 6, 2024 at 7:07 pm
I’m not sure how requiring everyone in the state (regardless of age) to send their personal information to Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos. and Elon Musk is going to make Florida safer.
Comments are closed.