Are your kids on social media? If so, you better listen up! As of January 1, 2025 several new laws are now in effect in Florida and include social media.
So what exactly is new?
1)Social Media:
Florida residents will now have restrictions to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and limited access to adult content websites. Thanks to Florida House Bill 3 (HB3), approved by Governor DeSantis in March 2024, kids under the age of 14 are prohibited from creating social media accounts. This new bill also requires some platforms (including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram) to terminate certain accounts and provide additional options for those terminated. Additionally, the bill also states social media platforms provide the conditions that prohibit kids under 14 years of age from entering into contracts to become account holders.
This new bill is aimed at protecting children from online harm while supporters argue that social media companies habitually create addictive platforms that harm a child’s mental health and could be a potential gateway for sexual predators to communicate with minors. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy states that social media platforms should post warning labels like those used on cigarette packages.
Another part of HB3 states that Pornhub and other adult sites are to require age verification in order to create an account. The bill identifies anonymous and standard age verification steps can be incorporated in the platforms, but if a nongovernmental independent third party offering the anonymous identification is used, that service cannot retain user personal information and must protect the data from unauthorized access.
People opposing these new laws suggest users may seek other non-compliant sites or find methods of evading the new laws. The risk is there of course, parents should always monitor their kid’s social media accounts.
Curious to learn more about the effects of social media on our youth? Check out this interview with the author of the book “The Anxious Generation” as he shares his views social media and children’s mental health.
2) Enhance voter registration
Florida House Bill 135 (HB 135) states that if Florida voters want to change their political party affiliation, they must designate the change in writing. Additionally, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is not permitted to change a person’s party affiliation of a Florida voter unless the applicant confirms the changes in writing.
3) Improved efficiencies in the Florida building permit process
Florida House Bill 267 (BH 267) implements set time limits for local government agencies to either approve or deny building permit applications. This new law establishes improved permit approval/denial timelines based on the square footage of the building structure. Other improvements include creating auditing standards, enhanced educational hours for residential building inspectors, and parameters on sealed drawings.
4) Interference with first responders
Florida Senate Bill 184 (SB 184) states that anyone who threatens or prevents a first responder from performing their job duties could be charged with a misdemeanor. This includes any law enforcement officer, emergency medical care provider, correctional probation officer or firefighter. Harassing a first responder, threatening with physical harm or impeding or interfering with a first responder’s ability to perform their job duties are all actions that can result in a second-degree misdemeanor.
Though the misdemeanor may not seem like a big deal to some, in Florida a second-degree misdemeanor could land you in jail for at least 60 days. Think about it!
For more information on all of these new laws, click here.
If you find yourself in jail, or a friend or loved one is arrested, call 33rd Street Bail Bonds for quick bail. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contact our office at 407-425-3303. We bond for drugs, drug trafficking, driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving under the influence (DUI), child neglect, traffic violations such as road rage and driving with a suspended license. We bond for most charges, so if you are in jail give us a call today!