The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) and the NetChoice coalition have initiated legal action against a controversial Florida statute that bans children under 14 from creating social media accounts. They argue that the law is "illegal." The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of House Bill 3, which was signed into law by Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in March, as reported by EFE news agency.
In a 48-page filing, the suit urges the court to halt the law's implementation, set for January 1, 2025, claiming it violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards free speech. According to the CCIA, the law places undue restrictions on this amendment by requiring parental consent for 14 and 15-year-olds to establish social media accounts.
First Amendment Concerns
"This social media law infringes on First Amendment rights for both minors and adults by imposing significant barriers to accessing online information, which all Americans, including minors, have the right to view," stated Stephanie Joyce, CCIA's vice president. With parental or legal guardian consent, teens aged 14 and 15 can use these platforms, while those under 13 are entirely banned under this heavily bipartisan-supported law.
Legal Challenges and Public Debate
Prior to Governor DeSantis signing the bill, the NetChoice coalition, encompassing various social media platforms, warned that the law was "unconstitutional" and would fail to protect Florida's citizens effectively. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the new law mandates minors to verify their age through facial scans or ID presentation to access adult sites, measures expected to face legal challenges in court.
Impact on Adolescent Mental Health
In light of rising rates of suicide and depression among teens, Florida joins several other states that have enacted similar restrictions on minors' social media access following DeSantis' endorsement of the bill. Proponents of the Florida legislation blame social media for increasing teen suicide rates, cyberbullying, and pedophilia cases.