In 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed into law a strict ban on children 13 and under from having social media accounts and a parental consent requirement for 14- and 15-year-olds.
And the Republican-led state has every intention of enforcing that law now that the state has cleared court challenges to the law, prompting the tech giant Meta (Facebook, Instagram) to begin complying, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who told Fox & Friends that fines could reach up into the billions.”
“I can confirm we heard from Meta, and they have announced they will be complying with our law effective in early May,” Uthmeier said.
In 2024, following increased suicides, self harm, depression, and child predator harms resulting from social media,
Florida passed a law restricting children’s access to such platforms.We are now enforcing that law with huge fines. @Meta confirmed compliance by May. https://t.co/QggcUxse8E
— James Uthmeier (@JamesUthmeierFL) April 2, 2026
Meta will begin removing accounts for minors under 14 in Florida starting in May — non-compliant companies face $50,000 fines per violation, so the decision speaks for itself.
Uthmeier recommended that companies like Snapchat, Roblox, Discord, and TikTok follow in Meta’s footsteps.
“They know that kids are suffering on these applications. They know the predators are getting to kids,” he said. “So, we’re encouraging companies, ‘Come in, sit down. Let’s work together. Let’s protect our kids at all costs.'”
Surprising or not, there are plenty of people who don’t support the law, including some who don’t believe it’s the government’s job to look out for the best interests of children.
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
Premature jubilation. This case isn’t finished in court and he is claiming victory. I played kickball with annoying kids like this when I was young.
— Justin Hill (@statelinx) April 3, 2026
The kids can get around the set parent controls.
— MarlaPosh (@MarlaPoshFL) April 2, 2026
Congratulations on the great work you do to protect children from abuse and sexual exploitation.
I believe we must all unite to make this terrible crime against children visible worldwide!.
The increase in cases where AI is used is exponential and is another major global alarm!.— Julián Guerrero ‘Playmaker’ (@JulianAndresGV) April 2, 2026
This is so dumb. Parents need to be the gatekeepers for children. This is big government nonsense. This isn’t conservative, this is some democrat crap.
— Florida Cornbred (@floridaCornbred) April 2, 2026
Social media access should be a parental decision, not the state. What parent’s need are tools on operating systems that can block unwanted apps and sites.
— Mike Ross (@mrossfinancial) April 2, 2026
Floridian here. I do not support this. It is the DUTY of the parents to stop giving their children access to devices with internet connectivity. It is the DUTY of parents to raise their child, NOT the government.
Do not strip away my God given rights to apease absent parenting.
— Link Raven (@Link__Raven) April 2, 2026
— Pete (@Deepcow1965) April 2, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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