TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The state of Florida won a crucial court case Wednesday that now allows it to enforce a ban on social media accounts for kids under 14 along with other restrictions.
▶ LISTEN TO ORLANDO’S MORNING NEWS EXPRESS PODCAST ON WDBO
This comes after a federal appeals court voted 3-0 Wednesday to make it easier for Florida to enforce a law that bans children under 14 from having social media accounts.
“I think parents should focus on helping their kids build a healthy relationship with technology,” Dr. Juliana Sanchez Bloom said in an interview with WDBO in August on what parents should know about technology and social media.
READ: Following Meta’s landmark settlement: What parents should know about social media and technology
The original law was signed in 2024 by Gov. Ron DeSantis and was known as one of the most restrictive in the country on social media use by children.
The law bans social media accounts for Florida children under 14 and requires parental consent for use by kids who are 14 or 15.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice sued Florida, arguing that the law violated the free-speech rights of social media providers and users. A judge in 2025 said the law likely was unconstitutional and granted an injunction against it.
READ: Florida wins key ruling allowing it to enforce a law that targets social media use by kids
However, that injunction was put on hold while the appeals court heard the case. The lawsuit, with the injunction now overturned, will return to federal court in Tallahassee.
The case comes after Meta agreed in August to pay up to $18 billion and implement stronger child-safety measures on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, resolving claims from nearly every state that accused the company of designing features that could encourage addictive behavior among young users.
READ: YouTube, Meta found liable in social media addiction trial
The appeals court noted that the law applies to social media platforms “that have been determined to induce heavy use by children, and applies only to platforms that use both algorithms and one of several addictive features.”
NetChoice said it was disappointed with the recent court decision.
“We are currently evaluating all of our options as we continue the fight to ensure Floridians’ rights to free expression online are protected, and parents remain in the driver’s seat when it comes to making decisions for their families,” said Paul Taske, a lawyer at NetChoice told AP.
The lawsuit now moves back to a federal court in Tallahassee.
Click here to download our free news, weather and traffic app. And click here to subscribe to our daily 3 Big Things newsletter.