Federal judge: A social media ban for children under the age of 14 is unconstitutional

A federal judge blocked Florida civil servants to enforce a law that would combine social media for children under the age of 14.

In the decision, Mark Walker, the US district judge Mark Walker, wrote that “Florida’s demanding law is likely to be unconstitutional,” added that the court “does not doubt that parents and legislators have sincere concerns about the effects that social media could be used on youth.”

Ron Desantis, Governor of Florida, signed the legislative template in March 2024 that children under the age of 14 complete from social media and require permission for those who are 14 or 15 years old. FacebookPresent InstagramAnd Snapchat The users already require at least 13 years old, while Tikok has a curated, only watch version for children under the age of 13. It is worth noting that these restrictions are able to achieve an existing federal law that restricts the data acquisition of users under the age of 13.

In the orders of the judge to provide the interim decision, he wrote the law “invites you” directly to have the right of these young people to be committed and have access to language “. The NetchOice Internet trade group in question for freedom of speech as well as the burden and the risk of reviewing mass identity.

The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, defended the state law and said that the state intended to appeal against the decision. The legislator was of the opinion that the law could help to contain the potential damage to young people on social media.

“These platforms have no constitutional right to add children too addicted to children in their products,” said the press spokesman for Uthmeier, Jae Williams, in an explanation of the Associated Press. “We do not agree to the order of the court and will immediately apply for a relief from the appellate court of the 11th Court of Appeal.”

Despite the judge’s decision, this saga is far from over.