Senate Committee Approves Amendment to Combine Bills Restricting Minors' Access to Social Media

On Thursday, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee approved (12-5) an amendment that combines HB 1 and HB 3. HB 1 prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from having social media accounts on platforms that use addictive technologies. Governor DeSantis has expressed concerns that the bill may not withstand certain legal challenges and several members have lamented that the bill infringes on parental rights. However, research on the effects of social media on minors has demonstrated negative effects on mental health, especially for girls. 

The substance of HB 3, requiring pornography websites to conduct age verification to ensure that users are at least 18 years old, remains intact in the combined bill. The bill remains one of the Speaker’s top priorities and will be heard on the Senate floor on Wednesday, February 21.