Jun 04, 2025 16:15:00

Florida law banning teens from using social media temporarily blocked as 'potentially unconstitutional'

A Florida court has granted a preliminary injunction against a state law banning teenagers from using social networking sites, citing that the safety measures in place on social networking sites do not adequately protect children.

Court HALTS Florida ID for the Internet While NetChoice and CCIA's Lawsuit Proceeds - NetChoice

https://netchoice.org/court-halts-florida-id-for-the-internet-while-netchoice-and-ccias-lawsuit-proceeds/

Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction to Block Florida's Social Media Rationing Law - CCIA
https://ccianet.org/news/2025/06/judge-grants-preliminary-injunction-to-block-floridas-social-media-rationing-law/

Federal judge blocks Florida's social media ban for children - UPI.com
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/06/03/florida-federal-judge-blocks-social-media-ban-children/3551748985601/

Federal judge blocks Florida from enforcing social media ban for kids while lawsuit continues | AP News
https://apnews.com/article/florida-social-media-ban-minors-lawsuit-678e71c6c6183b87435b7f51feb71fbe

How to protect minors from malicious intent is a widespread concern, and various forms of protection are in place.

In Florida, the bill 'HB3' was passed by the state legislature, which stipulates that 'SNS companies are prohibited from creating or maintaining accounts for users under the age of 14' and '14 and 15 year olds are prohibited from creating or maintaining social media accounts without parental consent,' as the measures taken by social media operators are not sufficient to protect children. With Governor Ron DeSantis signing the bill, it became law in March 2024.

Governor signs bill banning use of social media by people under 14 and requiring parental consent for 14- to 15-year-olds to use social media - GIGAZINE

However,

NetChoice and the Computer and Information Industry Association (CCIA) , which work to protect the internet, filed a preliminary injunction against HB3, arguing that it violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provides for freedom of expression. The court granted the motion.

In granting the motion, District Judge Mark Walker pointed out that banning certain age groups from creating and maintaining social media accounts violates the First Amendment's freedom of speech and expression.

Similarly, an Arkansas law that sought to ban minors from creating social media accounts was also invalidated in April 2025.

Judge rules that social media safety laws that require minors to get parental permission before creating social media accounts violate First Amendment rights - GIGAZINE

NetChoice has also successfully fought similar laws in California, Mississippi and Utah, and is also challenging a similar state law in Georgia that is set to go into effect in July 2025, arguing that it violates free speech.