DeSantis vetoes social media bill, expects ‘superior’ version with parental rights

Eric Daugherty contributed to this report.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a social media restriction bill Friday, saying lawmakers are producing a “superior” version for him by next week.

“Protecting children from harms associated with social media is important, as is supporting parents’ rights and maintaining the ability of adults to engage in anonymous speech,” he said. “I anticipate the new bill will recognize these priorities and will be signed into law soon.”

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, announced Friday that lawmakers will work to modify social media restriction provisions recently sent to DeSantis.

The announcement comes after DeSantis had cast doubt on the bill since it began making progress, repeatedly expressing his desire for integrating more parental rights and control.

The bill would have barred minors under 16 from creating social media accounts on “addictive” platforms.

Passidomo said lawmakers will make changes to HB 3 during the last week of session. Lawmakers have until next Friday to complete all business, which also includes the budget package.

The Senate withdrew the bill from the Fiscal Policy Committee, and it will be heard by the floor on Monday to make changes and move forward with passage.

He agreed that social media poses a systemic mental issue for young people, but was concerned about limiting parental authority, on top of the potential constitutional muster of the bill in its current form.

The bill, HB 1, also prevented all minors from accessing “harmful content” on the internet.

HB 1 passed 23-14 in the Senate and 108-7 in the House.

The legislation was sponsored by Reps. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, and Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg.

House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, was a top champion of the measures.

The features include endless scrolling, push notifications and auto-play.

The legislation does not apply to platforms that are primarily used for emailing, messaging, streaming, news, sports and entertainment.

Concerns of parental rights violations were expressed by members of both parties in each chamber during its passage.