social media

WASHINGTON—As the recently introduced Kids Online Security Act (KOSA) enjoys bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, the measure could be dead on arrival in the U.S. House of Representatives as the House Freedom Caucus and other conservative lawmakers are beginning to question the bill’s apparent big government overreach. The KOSA bill was cosponsored in […]

US Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) recently filed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to strengthen protections for minors surfing the internet.   If passed, KOSA would require online platforms frequented by minors to execute a series of actions geared towards protecting minor users. Namely, KOSA would require such platforms implement design features to mitigate and prevent […]

Despite facing continued criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike, Florida House Bill 1, which would ban minors under the age of 16 from accessing social media, is headed for Governor Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) desk after passing the Florida House. Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL) issued an inflammatory message after the bill's passing, calling it "a blatant and disturbing […]

Florida HB1, which would ban minors from accessing social media, has faced considerable controversy since its introduction at the beginning of the year. During a press conference in Lake Buena Vista, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) stated "There are legitimate issues that [have] got to be worked out," and reiterated the importance of parental rights. "I am […]

Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL) chastised President Joe Biden (D) on social media for banning TikTok on government devices while also launching an account for his campaign. President Biden’s campaign established the TikTok account during the Super Bowl. Despite the FBI repeatedly warning that TikTok poses serious national security concerns, and President Biden even signing legislation […]

The 2024 Legislative Session is now almost halfway completed, closing out the fifth week of the 9-week period. Tempers are wearing thin as we draw closer to the end, with a Republican expressing his "disgust" over Democrats storming out of a bill hearing. Other controversial issues this week included abortion rights, "identity politics" in the […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Gov. DeSantis has weighed in on potential legal concerns for the social media ban for minors bill that passed the House Floor Thursday. Gov. DeSantis explained that while he agreed with the bill, it was likely to evolve to expand parental rights. "I think social media has been a net negative for our youth […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—The Florida House passed a measure banning social media for minors Wednesday afternoon, citing positively correlated levels of child suicide and usage of these platforms. Meanwhile, Democrats voiced concerns over restricted parental rights and the positives that social media can provide. "Studies have shown that social media is having a devastating impact on our […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL—As Lawmakers enter the third week of the Legislative Session, with it comes a slew of hard-hitting bills, sure to ignite debate in both chambers. This week's agenda covers sex reassignment insurance coverage, the banning of identity politics in teacher preparation courses, drunk driving, and much more. Licenses and Drunk Driving Monday will see […]

A new bill modifying current Florida law on private pre-kindergarten instruction and expanding state pre-kindergarten educational programs is steadily progressing through the legislature.  Florida Senator Erin Grall’s (R-29)  ‘Early Learning’ pre-kindergarten bill, filed last December  was approved by the Education Pre-K-12 committee earlier this week.  Senator Grall’s proposal would prohibit private pre-kindergarten educational services from […]

In the wake of Gov. DeSantis' staggering defeat in Iowa, Florida pushes on; continuing their rapid-fire slew of novel legislation in the second week of the 60-day Legislative session. From a sprawling defamation bill to felonies for child groomers to reworked child labor laws, Florida lawmakers made sure to cover it all. In addition, the […]

The Florida Senate’s Education Postsecondary Committee has filed and approved a bill that would create an alternative pathway for students to obtain a High School diploma. The Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program would enable students to earn postsecondary course credits through career and technical education (CTE) courses.  Education Postsecondary committee chair Senator Erin […]

TALLAHASSEE, FL --- In a push toward increased protection of children, the Florida House voted on a new bill banning social media usage for children under 16. Social media platforms in violation of the bill would face a $50,000 fine per penalty, and up to $10,000 in civil damages to be paid to the minor […]

State Representative Alina Garcia (R-FL) sat down for an exclusive interview with The Floridian to discuss one of the bills she co-sponsored, HB 1. The legislation would require social media platforms to “use verification methods to verify ages of account holders.” It would also require social media platforms to “prohibit minors from creating new accounts,” […]

A bevy of bills have been floored by Florida Republican legislators to protect minors on the internet and social media.  Senator Erin Grall (R-29) filed the latest proposals: two bills requiring age verification on social media platforms and creating regulations to shield minors from inappropriate online content.  Senator Grall’s social media proposal would prohibit individuals […]

In the internet age, parents must be wary of what their kids are doing online. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) has introduced a bipartisan bill designed to alert parents when their kids are engaged in a potentially dangerous interaction over the internet, thus allowing them to react effectively. This bill is named "Sammy's Law," after […]

Concerns of foreign adversaries stealing Americans' personal data through social media have long been a concern of policymakers. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has introduced a bill that would, among other things, prohibit social media companies from storing data in a physical space located in an adversarial country. Named the US Data on US Soil […]

Tallahassee, Fl- Florida Senator Ileana Garcia (R) has filed a bill that would impose content moderation obligations for social media companies operating within Florida.  Senator Garcia’s bill would require social media companies to develop programs within their applications to shield minors from harmful content.  Primarily, social media sites will have to install safeguards against minor […]