Florida Court Upholds Social Media Restrictions for Children
Florida has secured a significant court ruling, enabling the enforcement of a ban on social media accounts for kids under the age of 14, along with other related restrictions.
This law, enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024, is considered one of the strictest in the nation regarding children’s social media use.
An appeals court acknowledged that the law touches on First Amendment rights but stated it likely does so in a way that remains neutral concerning the content. The court suggested that the law is likely to withstand legal scrutiny, asserting that it doesn’t overly restrict speech beyond what is necessary to protect minors from possible social media addiction, according to a unanimous opinion from a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The legislation prohibits social media accounts for children in Florida who are under 14 and mandates parental approval for 14- and 15-year-olds wishing to use such platforms.
In response to this law, industry trade groups, including the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice, filed a lawsuit against Florida, contending that the measure infringes on the free-speech rights of both social media platforms and their users. A judge previously ruled in 2025 that the law likely violated constitutional principles and issued an injunction against it.
This injunction was paused while the appeals process unfolded, but with the recent ruling, the case will head back to federal court in Tallahassee.
The appeals court pointed out that the law specifically targets social media platforms known for promoting heavy usage among children, applying solely to those employing algorithms and various addictive features.
As for responses, an email sent to the Florida attorney general’s office seeking comments went unanswered. NetChoice expressed disappointment regarding the ruling.
“We’re currently reviewing all our options as we strive to safeguard Floridians’ rights to express themselves freely online while ensuring that parents can effectively make decisions for their families,” stated Paul Taske, a lawyer representing NetChoice.
