A federal judge blocked Florida from enforcing its law banning social media for young children while the legal challenge plays out.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signed one of the most restrictive social media laws in 2024, banning social media accounts for children under 14 and requiring parental permission for accounts belonging to those under 16.

Recommended Stories

• Tech tariffs? A brewing conflict with the European Union and within the Trump administration
• State-level AI regulation would be blocked by House-passed Trump agenda bill provision
• Meta reorganizes AI team into two new entities

Judge Mark Walker said the law is “likely unconstitutional” while acknowledging that parents and lawmakers have “sincere concerns” about social media’s effects on children.

“Assuming the significance of the State’s interest in limiting the exposure of youth to websites with ‘addictive features,’ the law’s restrictions are an extraordinarily blunt instrument for furthering it,” Walker wrote.

Matt Schruers, the president and CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, celebrated the ruling.

“This ruling vindicates our argument that Florida’s statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors — and likely adults as well — from using certain websites to view lawful content,” Schruers said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing this statute permanently blocked as a violation of Floridians’ constitutional right to engage in lawful speech online.”

Under the law, social media companies found in violation could be fined $50,000, and minors’ existing accounts were required to be deactivated. The legislation was a top priority for former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.

JAMES HO, THE 5TH CIRCUIT ORIGINALIST TIPPED AS THE HEIR TO CLARENCE THOMAS

A spokesperson for Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier defended the law, citing “ lifelong tragic impacts of social media.”

​​“These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products,” Uthmeier’s press secretary, Jae Williams, said in a statement. “We disagree with the court’s order and will immediately seek relief in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.”