Lawmakers move forward with bill to increase social media protection for minors

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Lawmakers advanced a bill that will increase social media protection for minors on Monday.

Social media platforms will be required to disclose policies, using clear language suited to children, related to:

• Content moderation.
• Addictive design or deceptive pattern features, including auto-play or infinite scroll.
• Manipulated photographs or digital images.
• Consideration of best interests of minors when designing, developing, and providing services.
• Protections against harmful behaviors, such as bullying and threats of violence.

The bill passed unanimously through the House Choice and Innovation Subcommittee and was co-sponsored by Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby, D-St. Petersburg, and Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island. A similar bill is being sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens.

Sirois said this will apply to any “algorithm-based” social media platform. 

“You see these features that are designed it to capture the attention of our youth, and keep them engaged. Things like auto-play, and infinite scroll. Again, whistleblowers are telling us what this is doing. And we see it happening in our kids. Anybody that’s a parent that it is following along, knows that this is pervasive,” Sirois said.

It also requires social media companies to provide clear access to resources for law enforcement, suicide prevention, and domestic violence prevention services.

Social media companies must provide protective measures, such as screen time limitations, and other parental settings, along with reporting mechanisms related to harmful behaviors, such as bullying and threats of violence.

The bill requires the operating requirements to be on the social media platform’s internet homepage, platform user login page, or in a clearly labeled, conspicuous, and readily accessible link contained on the page.

The legislation allows social media platforms to post a statement on their website confirming that it has complied with the operating requirements. If a social media platform does not have such a statement on their website, then all K-12 schools operating in the state that accept state funding may not use or have an account on such social media platform.

The bill prohibits K-12 schools that accept state funding from requiring students to participate in social media platforms related to school-sponsored educational activities. Schools may still require student use of portal, email, and message board accounts used for official business with the school.

“I believe that social media is a severe threat to the youth of this country. I’m a free market guy, those of you that I’ve worked with know that. But, when it comes to the health and safety of Floridians, I believe that there’s a role for the legislature to step in and engage and that’s what this bill does,” Sirois said.

The bill will have no fiscal impact on state or local governments.

The House Commerce Committee will receive the bill for its next stop. If passed, the bill will go into effect July 1, 2023.