Florida gets closer to banning social media for kids under 16

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is on the verge of passing one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on minors’ use of social media. The state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would keep children under the age of 16 off popular platforms regardless of parent approval. The measure now goes back to the state House, where it is the Republican speaker’s top priority. Critics have pointed to similar efforts in other states that have been blocked by courts. Supporters in Florida hope that if the bill becomes law, it would withstand legal challenges because it focuses on addictive features rather than the content on social media sites. But opponents say parents, not the government, should monitor children’s social media use.