The Florida House has unveiled a new regulation with the passage of HB3, a comprehensive age-verification bill that signals the end of online anonymity as we know it.

The Florida House of Representatives has enacted House Bill 3, positioning Florida at the forefront of child online protection in the United States. This groundbreaking legislation mandates age verification for social media and adult websites, marking a significant shift in the fight against digital dangers that loom over the youngest internet users.

House Bill 3 emerges as a robust framework designed to mitigate the addictive allure of social media platforms and restrict access to adult content for those under the age of 18. The bill uniquely targets platforms that captivate children under 16 for prolonged periods, incorporating a nuanced approach to identify social media companies that exploit addictive design features to hook young users.

Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast) hailed the bill as a monumental step towards ensuring the online safety of children, emphasizing the legislature’s dedication to crafting a bill resilient enough to withstand anticipated legal challenges from powerful tech conglomerates. The collaborative effort, spearheaded by Representatives Sirois, McFarland, Rayner, Tramont, and Overdorf, alongside Senator Erin Grall, and supported by Governor Ron DeSantis, underscores a united front in prioritizing the welfare of Florida’s children over tech industry profits.

The legislation sets forth stringent requirements for social media platforms, notably forbidding the creation of accounts by children under 14 unless parental consent is provided for those aged 14 and 15. Furthermore, it compels adult websites to implement anonymous third-party age verification processes, ensuring that only individuals aged 18 and above can access content deemed harmful to minors. This measure also enhances the enforcement capabilities of the Attorney General’s office and establishes a legal avenue for parents to seek redress on behalf of their children.

Representative Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) pointed to extensive research indicating the detrimental effects of excessive social media use on child development, asserting that the legislation paves the way for a healthier future for Florida’s youth. Echoing this sentiment, Representative Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) criticized the exploitative tactics employed by social media platforms to foster addiction among young users, vowing to stand against such practices.

In a demonstration of bipartisan support, Representative Michele Rayner (D-St. Petersburg) characterized the bill as a life-saving measure transcending political divides, aimed at protecting children from the predatory practices of social media companies. Similarly, Representatives Chase Tramont (R-Port Orange) and Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) emphasized the overdue need for stringent age verification on adult sites, drawing parallels to the accountability expected of businesses selling age-restricted products.

With Governor DeSantis’ anticipated signature, House Bill 3 is slated to become law on January 1, 2025, heralding a new era of online safety for minors in Florida. This legislation not only represents a significant stride in protecting children from online hazards but also serves as a model for other states grappling with the complex challenges of digital age verification and child safety in the era of ubiquitous internet access.