A law signed today by Gov. Ron DeSantis raises the age for teenagers to start social media accounts to 14-years-old. The law also requires parents to grant permission to anyone 14 and 15-years-old to open an account. The big change is that social media companies will now have to verify the information rather than just take the word of the kids starting new accounts.
While older kids face no restrictions, the legislation forces all social-media users in the state to submit identification documents to verify their ages.
“Social media harms children in a variety of ways,” DeSantis said in a statement Monday, adding that the measure, known as House Bill 3, “gives parents a greater ability to protect their children.”
The Florida legislation is part of a broader effort by some states to clamp down on social media firms amid rising concern over their impact on youth mental health…
