Florida Backs Off Teen Social Media Ban But Enacts Restrictions

Florida will keep kids under 14 off of social media and require parental permission up to age 16 under a law Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed Monday.

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, overhauls an earlier proposal that would have prohibited youth under 16 from holding social media accounts. DeSantis vetoed that measure, and said it did not give parents enough control over decisions about their children.

The law he signed instead allows youth ages 14 and 15 to use social media with a parent’s permission. The law applies to social media sites that use algorithms and design ...