“When did Republicans start acting like Democrats, inviting big government into our lives?” said one caller on a local radio talk show.
The caller was referencing a social media bill state Republicans are supporting that would ban younger kids, 16 and younger, from being able to have a social media account.
Currently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says he’s not on board with the bill.
Another group that aligns itself with the governor is Moms for Liberty Co-founder Tiffany Justice also opposes the bill.
“Where do we stop?” said Justice. “Social media is bad for kids. Now we’re going to ban it. Well, you know what else is bad for kids? McDonald’s,”
DeSantis and Justice did agree about social media and some of the problems it has with young minors. But Justice is focused on the rights of parents and their involvement with their kids, without having the government come in and making the final decision about if young kids under 16 should be banned from using social media.
In a press conference last week, Gov. DeSantis also echoed the concerns by many on the bill by stating parents must play a bigger role in the legislation.
Florida Daily Legal Commentator Ron Davis says this bill could see several legal challenges including freedom of speech.
One of the measures inside this bill would require social media platforms to use an age-verification option for users by third-party services.
Supporters of this bill include members of the law enforcement community. The Florida Police Benevolent Association and the Florida Sheriffs Association issued statements asserting that the bill would help protect younger children from the dangers of addictive social media.
The Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association is also backing the bill.
