Florida is on the verge of passing one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on minors’ use of social media after the state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would keep children under the age of 16 off popular platforms regardless of parental approval.

The measure now goes back to the state House, where the speaker has made the issue his top priority during the legislative session that ends March 8. Still, critics have pointed to similar efforts in other states that have been blocked by courts.

The bill targets any social media site that tracks user activity, allows children to upload material and interact with others, and uses addictive features designed to cause excessive or compulsive use. Supporters point to rising suicide rates among children, cyberbullying and predators using social media to prey on kids.

  • walter_wiggles
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    9 months ago

    They don’t want their kids to be able to figure out how fucked Florida is.

    • bobs_monkey@lemm.ee
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      9 months ago

      I somehow doubt most kids under 16 are that versed in local/state/national/global affairs. Nevermind that they can’t vote.

        • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world
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          9 months ago

          This is just another act of cutting off kids from information.

          I feel like someone said why bother banning books at school when they can just access that information online? And they said you’re right, let’s figure out how we can ban that too