Florida House Speaker unveils bills designed to protect children online

(The Center Square) — Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, unveiled on Thursday the Legislature's plan to restrict children's social media use.

Renner said before he was a lawmaker, he believed the internet should remain as it is, not regulated, taxed, or unfavorable to free speech. However, Renner pointed out that the internet, being a free-for-all, is allowing pornography and other harmful material to be easily accessed by children as young as six years old.

"Developmentally, the thought is that at age 16, we need to take a close look at the consequences of social media, as well as the far-too-easy access for young kids…like 6-year-olds, to access hardcore pornography," Renner said at a news conference.

Renner noted that there needs to be more measures put in place to prevent children gaining access to adult content sites and stated that lawmakers are looking into beefing up age verification. Renner added that studies have shown that over-exposure to social media and adult content is causing feelings of loneliness, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts in high schoolers.

Renner discussed new legislation filed, House Bill 1 and HB 3, designed to protect children online. This includes prohibiting minors from having social media accounts, requiring social media platforms to use reasonable age verification methods, and would require a commercial entity that publishes adult content, to also use more robust age verification methods.

"You see a very direct correlation not just in this country, but across the globe and everywhere where social media is available in a devastating, devastating effect on the mental health and well-being of our children," Renner said. "I think people on both sides of the aisle are realizing we've made a grievous mistake by letting it go on this long."

Renner noted that lawmakers have to address these issues in a robust way, and it is time to take action.

HB 1 sponsor state Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, thanked Renner for his bold leadership and stated that as a legislator and a parent, there is no higher priority than protecting our children.

"We know that social media companies deploy features that are addictive and content that is harmful. We see the alarming rise in the rates of mental health disorders and suicide in our youth." Sirois said, adding that his bill will hold social media companies accountable.