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Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature has passed legislation that would ban anyone under age 16 from social media platforms in a move that supporters have said would protect young people from online risks to their mental health.
The measure, which goes to the desk of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis after being passed by lawmakers on Thursday, would require social media platforms to terminate the accounts of people under 16 and use a third-party verification system to screen out those who are underage.
DeSantis, who last month expressed concern about the bill’s potential infringement on privacy rights, told reporters on Friday that he had yet to review its final version. DeSantis said he believes social media is harmful for children but that parents “could supervise” and he was wary of a policy that would “overrule” parents.
