FL Governor Vetoes Social Media Ban Bill

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed legislation that would have banned social media for minors younger than 16 and required age verification to access pornographic websites.

"I have vetoed HB 1 because the Legislature is about to produce a different, superior bill," DeSantis said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. "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. I anticipate the new bill will recognize these priorities and will be signed into law soon."

Ron DeSantis

The Palm Beach Port reports the governor has been negotiating with House Speaker Paul Renner in recent days, and lawmakers are already pushing forward another proposal with a big concession to DeSantis’ parental rights concerns. 

In a statement, Renner said the new bill "will empower parents to control what their children can access online while also protecting minors from the harm caused by addictive social media platforms. This balance ensures that while you, as parents, have the power to guide your children's online activities, the law is also there to protect them."

That original (HB 1) would have been the strictest social media clampdown in the nation, banning platforms using “addictive features” for all minors younger than 16 years old. 

But an amendment to the replacement bill (HB 3), filed Friday afternoon shortly after DeSantis’ veto announcement, adds a parental permission exception for Floridians who are 14 and 15 years old.