Politics | April 8th, 2025

Florida Bill Seeks to Increase Parental and Law Enforcement Access to Minors’ Social Media

By: Charrise Lane

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A new bill filed by Florida Representative Michelle Salzman, House Bill 743, would allow parents, guardians, and law enforcement to view social media messages of minors under the age of 16. The bill also proposes restricting access to disappearing messages for minors in the same age group.

This legislation follows the passage of another law, House Bill 3, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024. That bill prohibits minors under the age of 14 from creating social media accounts, while allowing those aged 14 and 15 to create accounts with parental permission.

The Harmful Effects of Social Media on Minors

A report from the American Psychological Association indicates that 41% of teens who are heavy social media users report poor or very poor mental health. Meanwhile, data from the cyberbullying research center reveals that 30% of minors surveyed since 2002 have been victims of cyberbullying.

The dangers go beyond mental health concerns. Statistics from the U.S Department of Justice shows that one in 33 children receives aggressive sexual solicitation annually, with an estimated 50,000 predators actively seeking minors at any given time. The FBI has also highlighted the rise of sextortion, a form of online sexual exploitation in which offenders convince minors to send explicit content. According to the FBI, 13,000 reports of online financial sextortion were filed between October 2021 and March 2023, with a 20% increase observed from the previous year.

Support for the Bill

Quisha King Benton, a political analyst, member of Moms for Liberty, and mother, expressed strong support for the bill.

“Just like we have age limits for driving, voting, and drinking, we need to protect young minds from the dangers of social media,” Benton said. “There are sites out there that could lead children to harmful content or even attempt to indoctrinate them.”

Benton shared a personal story about her own daughter’s social media experience, emphasizing her concerns for other parents.

Donique Rolle, a Florida teacher, also expressed support after initially being unsure about the bill.

“I see the damage that social media has caused among my students,” Rolle said. “Most of the fights, disagreements, and disruptions in class stem from social media, especially when it comes to gossip and rumors. The damage often starts in middle school but worsens in high school.”

Representative Salzman’s Statement

Representative Salzman, who filed HB 743, stressed the importance of the legislation.

“This legislation is a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to protect Florida’s youth from the potential dangers lurking in the digital world,” Salzman said. “By addressing message encryption, we’re empowering parents and law enforcement with the tools they need to ensure our children’s safety online.”

If passed, the bill is set to take effect on July 1 of this year.