On Wednesday, the Florida Senate could make further changes to a social-media bill that is a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast.
Senate sponsor Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, filed a proposed amendment Tuesday that would make a series of changes in the bill, which seeks to prevent minors under age 16 from using what bill supporters describe as “addictive” social media platforms.
In January, the House overwhelmingly passed the bill (HB 1), but the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee made changes supported by Renner last week.
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Grall’s proposed amendment, which the full Senate is scheduled to consider Wednesday, would make additional changes on issues such as verifying the ages of potential social media users.
The proposed amendment would require social-media platforms to offer anonymous age-verification methods to potential users.
The platforms also could offer what are described as “standard” age-verification methods. If both methods are offered, potential users would be able to choose the method, according to the proposed amendment.
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The bill has called for using “reasonable” age-verification methods, but it has faced criticism that it raises privacy concerns — including for adults who would have to verify their ages to create social media accounts.
The bill is aimed, in part, at preventing minors under 16 from creating accounts on social media platforms that Renner and other lawmakers say harm children’s mental health.
If the Senate passes the bill, it will have to go back to the House for further consideration.
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