West Palm Beach—Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference at Palm Beach Atlantic University, a Christian college, to announce his “Digital Bill of Rights” initiative to hold Big Tech and social media platforms accountable for their online “grooming” and exploitation of children.
The legislative proposal bans the use of TikTok and other social media platforms with ties to Communist “China from all state government devices, and through internet services at colleges, universities, and public schools, and prohibits state and local government employees from coordinating with Big Tech companies to censor protected speech,” according to a press release from the Governor’s office.
Attorney General Ashley Moody, who praised Gov. DeSantis’s efforts to protect children, said that the Governor was “laser-focused on his mission of protecting his people, and specifically protecting their rights.
General Moody added that she has been “warning for years of collection of data by these tech companies, like Tik Tok,” adding that Florida has had to take on Big Tech because Congress has failed to do so.
During the question and answer session of the event, Gov. DeSantis was asked for his thoughts on how Florida Democratic lawmakers recently praised his ongoing efforts to protect children from predatory social media platforms like the aforementioned Tik Tok.
"Everybody knows the governor and I don't agree on quite a lot, but I will say this, my parents taught me I'm with you when you're right. And I believe that this is right," said Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby to The Floridian after a press conference on her bill. "I believe this is right to do, I agree with him that there has to be protection for our children, and especially when we're talking about giving parents back the power, this gives parents back this power.
“I think its common sense,” said Gov. DeSantis. “Parental Rights in Education, I think some of the folks in the legislature for partisan reasons, made the mistake of opposing that, they tried to manufacture a narrative.”
The measure or proposal will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session that begins March 7th.
@GovRonDeSantis address is Florida democrat lawmakers, supporting his efforts to protect children online. Read More: https://t.co/5haeYXtoNU #Flpol pic.twitter.com/XzdtgWnZTH
— The Floridian (@Floridianpress) February 15, 2023