Florida law banning children from having social media accounts sparks conversation about childrens’ mental health

A new Florida law will ban children under the age of 14 from having social media accounts and will require children between the ages of 14 and 15 to have parental permission in order to have social media accounts. The law—which will take effect on January 1, 2025—is aimed at protecting children’s mental health and preventing dangerous online encounters. Judges have previously blocked similar laws in other states, citing First Amendment violations. The law has initiated online conversations about the impact of social media on children’s mental health.

Recommendation: 

Conversations about this law provide opportunities for health departments and other organizations to inform target populations about the risks and benefits of social media use in children. Messaging may educate on the ways adults can help children safely navigate social media, and these types of trending narratives provide an opportunity to promote existing mental health resources for children.