‘Complete ban’ for the first time
On the 24th (local time), the Florida State House of Representatives passed a bill banning the use of social media for youth under the age of 16. Recently, each U.S. state has enacted laws to prevent youth addiction to social media, but Florida is the first to completely ban it.
According to the Associated Press, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill to regulate youth social media use with 106 votes in favor and 13 against. Republican Rep. Fiona McFarland, a co-sponsor of the bill, said, “The dopamine stimulation that social media provides is very addictive,” and “It’s like digital fentanyl.”
According to the bill, youth under the age of 16 cannot create a social media account regardless of parental approval, and social media operators must terminate the accounts of Florida users under the age of 16. Although the bill does not specify which social media is subject to this, social media where youth can post and interact with other users are subject to regulation. The bill is expected to be debated in the state Senate.
Politico, a U.S. political media outlet, evaluated it as “the strictest social media ban in the United States.” So far, laws to regulate youth social media have been passed in several places, including Utah, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas, but not a complete ban. Starting in March, the state of Utah required children under the age of 18 to obtain parental consent to create social media accounts. Starting this month, Ohio also allows children under the age of 16 to join social media with parental consent.
Accordingly, there are many concerns about a bill to completely ban social media. “After her mother died when she was 13, she turned to social media for solace,” said Democratic Rep. Anna Escamani, adding, “This bill is too broad and could have unintended consequences.” “What concerns me is the government telling parents how to raise their children and taking away the parents’ full ability to make those decisions,” said Democratic Rep. Ashley Gant. In response to Utah’s bill, some social media groups filed a lawsuit in court, claiming that the bill infringes on freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.