DeSantis vetoes ‘Online Protection for Minors’ bill that would have banned teenagers from establishing social media accounts.
by Joe Barnett
Today, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that aimed to protect minors by banning them from establishing social media accounts. H.B.1, titled “Online Protection for Minors,” passed the state Legislature with bipartisan support, and some bipartisan opposition, as Heartland Daily News reported previously.
“I have vetoed HB 1 because the Legislature is about to produce a different, superior bill,” DeSantis wrote on X (formerly 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.”
Moms For Liberty, a conservative organization for parents, had expressed concern about the lack of parental involvement in the regulation of their children’s social media use.
Jamie Merchant, the group’s Florida legislative chair, applauded DeSantis’ action, in a statement:
“We are glad that Gov. Ron DeSantis has yet again stepped up to the plate to fight for parental rights. We strongly believe that parents know what is best for their children – not the government. That is why having a parental authorization on any social media law is the key to this fight. Parents should be the ones who can decide if their child is mature enough or ready to navigate the dangers of social media. Florida continues to lead the way in policies that empower parents and we cannot thank Gov. DeSantis enough for putting parents in the driver’s seat on this.”
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