New Smyrna surfer father to DeSantis: ‘Pump the brakes’ on proposed social media law for minors

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – The father of a teenage daughter dedicated to surfing is expressing concern over a proposed state law restricting minors under the age of 16 from accessing social media accounts.

“The first reaction is, is the government taking away parental rights?” Alex Hilley said to Florida’s Voice. “That was our main concern, now the government is dictating what our kids can’t and can’t do.”

Recently, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill 106-13 banning minors from accessing certain social media platforms. The Senate has yet to take up the bill.

Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merrit Island; Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota; and Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg introduced HB 1.

The bill was amended, specifically, to target platforms that track information from users who upload, share, and interact with content. It also aims to protect those from viewing harmful and addictive technology.

The amendment also clarified apps used primarily for one service, such as email, direct messaging, news, streaming and others, do not qualify under the legislation as platforms that need to be regulated.

Hilley called the proposal “black and white” and “all or nothing” after watching the House debate the issue.

His daughter, a surfer, has amassed over 11,000 followers and has multiple companies representing her in the sport.

“She was found solely by social media,” Hilley said. “There’s not a young surfer in the world pretty much that does not have a social media page.”

Pinpointing its financial cost, including travel and gear, Hilley explained social media accounts are critical to gaining sponsorships in the sport. He estimated, due to travel and lack of exposure, a potential loss of up to $30,000 thousand over the issue.

“There needs to be amendments, there need to be exclusions,” Hilley said.

Despite Florida having one of the richest surfing histories in the world, Hilley expressed the possibility of moving to California due to the legislation.

In voicing his disapproval, Hilley appeared open to the idea of certain restrictions, including parental approval. The caveat, he noted, was how it could be enforced.

“I understand the thought process behind of restricting it,” Hilley said. “I think there’s better ways to go about it than just saying anyone under 16 can’t have it.”

Hilley mentioned, in referencing an upcoming trip to Hawaii, his daughter’s surfing connections around the world, drawing the possibility of her public exposure now at a disadvantage.

“She’s meeting three girls out there, one from California, one from Hawaii, and another one from Australia that she’s never met, but they all share a combined goal, they’re all are in the same boat,” Hilley said. “Now you’re taking networking away, you’re taking the positives of social media that, you know someone like my daughter that they can have.”

Moving forward, Hilley asked the Florida Legislature, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, to “pump the brakes on the bill.”

“The people who proposed this are looking like you said, the bad, the bullying, the body images, the false sense of reality of, everyone needs to be practical in a bikini and everything’s perfect,” Hilley said. “I understand those things, but let’s look at the positives, what it has done for social media and so many people.”

DeSantis, addressing the issue during a press conference, echoed some of Hilley’s concerns.

“What I would say is I’m sympathetic to as a parent what’s going on with our youth,” DeSantis said. “I also understand that someone that is 15 just cannot have it no matter what, even with the parents consent, that may create some legal issues.”

DeSantis called social media, although, a “net negative for our youth.”

With his daughter’s future in limbo, Hilley indicated the possibility of opening legal ramifications.

“We would probably have to file a lawsuit,” Hilley said.