Federal Judge Blocks Florida Social Media Law for Minors, Citing First Amendment Concerns
Tallahassee, FL — A federal judge in Florida struck down a state law on Tuesday that aimed to restrict minors under 14 from holding accounts on certain social media platforms, citing violations of First Amendment rights.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a preliminary injunction in a 58-page opinion, siding with tech industry groups linked to companies like Meta, Google, and Snap Inc., who challenged the 2024 Florida law.
The legislation prohibited children under 14 from having social media accounts with “addictive features” and allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to open accounts only with parental consent. However, Judge Walker argued that “youth have First Amendment rights,” emphasizing that young people are not merely “people-in-waiting or extensions of their parents.” He underscored their role as “citizens in training,” noting that early engagement with free speech helps prepare them for the responsibilities of citizenship.
While the injunction halts the age-based restrictions, the portion of the law requiring social media platforms to terminate children’s accounts at a parent’s request remains in effect. The ruling marks a significant win for the tech industry plaintiffs, who sued the State of Florida to block the measure. The case highlights ongoing tensions between protecting minors online and preserving their constitutional rights, with Walker noting that the limits of youth First Amendment protections remain undefined by higher courts.
