Senate President Kathleen Passidomo on Tuesday said there is “huge interest” among senators in supporting restrictions that would curtail minors’ use of social media — a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner.
Passidomo, R-Naples, was asked by a reporter about whether she supports the social-media legislation after Renner, R-Palm Coast, highlighted the issue during remarks on the opening day of the annual legislative session.
In part, Renner said “the rise of social media has hollowed out what should be a childhood of happiness and big dreams.” The measure (HB 1) would require social-media companies to prohibit minors under 16 from creating social-media accounts.
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Companies also would have to use “reasonable age verification methods” when new users create accounts.
Passidomo pointed to senators having a personal interest in the issue.
“There is a huge interest in the Senate to support those initiatives. We have a lot of … our senators with young children, and they are very concerned about the future of their kids online,” Passidomo said.
Sen. Erin Grall, R-Vero Beach, has filed a Senate version (SB 1788) of the bill.
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