A federal judge has temporarily blocked Florida from enforcing a law that would ban social media accounts for children under 14, ruling that the measure is “likely unconstitutional” while acknowledging lawmakers’ concerns about social media’s effects on young users, per the Associated Press.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, June 3, that prevents state officials from enforcing portions of the law while a legal challenge proceeds. The measure, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024, would have prohibited social media accounts for children under 14 and required parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.
In his 58-page ruling, Walker wrote that the prohibition “directly burdens those youths’ rights to engage in and access speech.” While siding with industry groups on free speech grounds, Walker allowed a provision requiring platforms to shut down accounts for children under 16 at a parent or guardian’s request to take effect.
“An established principle in the First Amendment context is that enabling individuals to voluntarily restrict problematic content at the receiving end is preferred over restricting speech at the source,” Walker wrote. “Parents are best positioned to make the appropriately individualized determinations about whether or when their children should use social media platforms.”
Florida Appeals Ruling as Similar Laws Face Challenges
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a notice of appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals the same day as the ruling. A spokesperson for Uthmeier defended the law, stating: “Florida parents voted through their elected representatives for a law protecting kids from the harmful and sometimes lifelong, tragic impacts of social media. These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products.”
The law does not directly identify which platforms would be affected, but it includes criteria related to algorithms, “addictive features,” and live streaming. According to the ruling, it would apply to platforms like Snapchat and YouTube.
Meanwhile, a federal judge in Atlanta heard arguments on Tuesday, June 3, from NetChoice seeking to block a similar Georgia law scheduled to take effect July 1. That law would require age verification for social media accounts and parental permission for users under 16.
The tech industry groups that challenged Florida’s law—Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice—argue that these state measures infringe on free speech rights and are overly burdensome.
The Florida case comes amid a separate lawsuit filed by Uthmeier against Snap Inc., alleging violations of the same law.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Florida from enforcing a law that would ban social media accounts for children under 14, ruling that the measure is “likely unconstitutional” while acknowledging lawmakers’ concerns about social media’s effects on young users, per the Associated Press.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction on Tuesday, June 3, that prevents state officials from enforcing portions of the law while a legal challenge proceeds. The measure, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024, would have prohibited social media accounts for children under 14 and required parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.
In his 58-page ruling, Walker wrote that the prohibition “directly burdens those youths’ rights to engage in and access speech.” While siding with industry groups on free speech grounds, Walker allowed a provision requiring platforms to shut down accounts for children under 16 at a parent or guardian’s request to take effect.
“An established principle in the First Amendment context is that enabling individuals to voluntarily restrict problematic content at the receiving end is preferred over restricting speech at the source,” Walker wrote. “Parents are best positioned to make the appropriately individualized determinations about whether or when their children should use social media platforms.”
Florida Appeals Ruling as Similar Laws Face Challenges
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a notice of appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals the same day as the ruling. A spokesperson for Uthmeier defended the law, stating: “Florida parents voted through their elected representatives for a law protecting kids from the harmful and sometimes lifelong, tragic impacts of social media. These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products.”
The law does not directly identify which platforms would be affected, but it includes criteria related to algorithms, “addictive features,” and live streaming. According to the ruling, it would apply to platforms like Snapchat and YouTube.
Meanwhile, a federal judge in Atlanta heard arguments on Tuesday, June 3, from NetChoice seeking to block a similar Georgia law scheduled to take effect July 1. That law would require age verification for social media accounts and parental permission for users under 16.
The tech industry groups that challenged Florida’s law—Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice—argue that these state measures infringe on free speech rights and are overly burdensome.
The Florida case comes amid a separate lawsuit filed by Uthmeier against Snap Inc., alleging violations of the same law.