Florida House passes HB 743 to regulate minor social media accounts

In a move aimed at enhancing online safety for minors, the Florida State Legislature has introduced House Bill 743, which seeks to impose stricter regulations on social media platforms regarding the accounts of users under the age of 16. Introduced on February 19, 2025, the bill addresses growing concerns about the potential dangers of social media exposure for young users.

The primary purpose of House Bill 743 is to empower parents and guardians by allowing them to request the termination of their minor children's social media accounts. Specifically, the bill mandates that social media platforms must comply with such requests within ten business days. Furthermore, it requires these platforms to permanently delete all personal information associated with the terminated accounts, unless legal obligations dictate otherwise.

Another significant provision of the bill is the requirement for social media platforms to disable end-to-end encryption features. This change would enable parents or guardians to access their children's messages and allow law enforcement to view messages pertinent to felony investigations involving minors. This aspect of the bill has sparked considerable debate, with advocates arguing that it enhances child safety, while opponents raise concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of such access.

The bill also stipulates that accounts held by users aged 14 or 15 must be terminated if the platform cannot verify parental consent for account creation. Social media companies will be required to provide a 90-day period for users to dispute such terminations, ensuring that young users have a chance to contest the decision.

The implications of House Bill 743 are significant, as it reflects a growing trend among states to regulate social media usage among minors. Experts suggest that while the bill aims to protect children from online threats, it may also lead to unintended consequences, such as limiting young people's ability to communicate freely and engage with peers online.

As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it will likely continue to draw attention from various stakeholders, including parents, educators, and technology advocates. The outcome of this legislation could set a precedent for how social media platforms operate in relation to minors, potentially reshaping the landscape of online interactions for younger users in Florida and beyond.