Tampa Bay, Florida Local News
Lawmakers add new provisions to proposed social media ban
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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Senate recently altered a bill to keep kids under 16 off of major social media platforms and it is now one step closer to the governor’s desk.
Lawmakers included pornographic websites in the list of social media sites that minors would be barred from joining. All sites on the list will need users to verify that they are 18 or older.
What You Need To Know
- Lawmakers in Tallahassee recently amended a bill to keep kids under 16 off of major social media platforms
- They revamped the criteria for determining which platforms would be subject to the restrictions
- Pornographic websites will now also have to verify their user’s ages if the bill is passed
- According to the bill, social media platforms who violate this bill will be penalized
But the legality of the bill is still a primary concern for top lawmakers, including Gov. Ron DeSantis.
For parents, their primary concern is their kids and how they are using the devices.
“I’m afraid she won’t know what’s real anymore and try to make herself something she’s not,” Jaime Marco said about her 8-year-old daughter.
To comply with the legislation as currently written, the platforms would be required to perform age verification of their users.
“I think the concept is great,” Marco said. “It’s just for Florida, though, and Florida is just one state out of 50. It crosses over lines. It should be a federal bill if we are going to do that.”
While she supports the idea, she doesn’t know if the restrictions are the right way to address social media and its impact on kids.
“I don’t think it’s the government’s role to decide that, but I do think it’s the government’s role and responsibility to protect its citizens,” Marco said.
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Julia Hazel
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