DeSantis Signs Bill Requiring Age Verification To Access Porn Sites, Banning Minors Under 16 From Social Media

The Tallahassee Democrats reports:

Gov. Ron DeSantis Monday signed into law sweeping social media restrictions that also requires age verification to access pornographic websites in Florida. The measure would take effect at the beginning of 2025 – if it survives expected lawsuits from the nation’s largest tech companies.

In that case, minors under 16 would be barred from social media platforms, unless they’re 14- or 15-year-olds who get a parent’s permission. The governor was joined by local school officials and bill sponsors as well as state Attorney General Ashley Moody and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., all of whom backed the policy.

Also there was House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, who negotiated with DeSantis on the legislation (HB 3) after the governor vetoed the original version, citing legal and parents’ rights concerns.

Read the full article. DeSantis vetoed a previous version of the bill that did not include the carve-out for 14 and 15-year-olds.

DeSantis signs social media restrictions for kids, age verification for porn sites https://t.co/TC5F6WBswR

— Tallahassee Democrat (@TDOnline) March 25, 2024