On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law prohibiting the creation of social media accounts for children under the age of 14, as reported by NBC News.
The ban also mandates social media platforms to delete any existing accounts belonging to children under this age.
"Ultimately, [we’re] trying to help parents navigate this very difficult terrain that we have now with raising kids, and so I appreciate the work that’s been put in" said Republican DeSantis during the law's signing ceremony, according to NBC News.
Debate on Influence
Several other states have introduced similar bans, which an organization called NetChoice — comprising companies like Meta (Facebook and Instagram's parent company), Google, and X — has challenged in court.
According to NBC News, the new law will come into effect in January 2025, amid ongoing debates over the impact of social media on children and teenagers in the US and worldwide.
In December, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer received a letter from over 200 organizations urging American lawmakers to pass a law regarding safety on social media.
