The Florida Legislature has passed a bill that would create one of the most restrictive bans on minors' use of social media in the nation. The bill, which would prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing popular social media platforms, was approved by the House with a vote of 108-7 and by the Senate with a vote of 23-14. The legislation, which has been a top priority for Republican House Speaker Paul Renner, aims to protect children from harmful content and addictive features on social media platforms.

However, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has expressed concerns about the bill, particularly regarding privacy issues. DeSantis supports the intention behind the legislation but believes that the language may not adequately protect user privacy. Negotiations on new language continued as DeSantis approached the Friday deadline to act on the bill. The Senate announced plans to amend language on a similar bill still in committee to keep the issue alive if DeSantis decides to veto the current bill.

Supporters of the bill argue that social media platforms can be harmful to teenagers, leading to cyberbullying, exposure to predators, and mental health issues. They believe that the legislation is necessary to protect children from these dangers. However, opponents, including some parents, argue that the bill violates the First Amendment and infringes on parental rights. They believe that it should be up to parents, not the government, to monitor their children's social media use.

The bill would require social media companies to close accounts used by minors and delete any information related to those accounts. It aims to target platforms with addictive features that can manipulate children and cause harm. While some parents support the bill and agree with the need to protect children from harmful content, others believe that it is an overreach by the government into their private lives and parental decisions.

The future of the bill remains uncertain as DeSantis considers whether to veto it or sign it into law with amendments. Lawmakers are working to address the governor's concerns and find a way to make the bill more acceptable to him before the end of their session next week. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the fate of the legislation and its impact on children's access to social media in Florida.