As social media ban for kids heads to Florida House vote, parents wonder about enforcement

ORLANDO, Fla. – Fun is how Rene, 12, describes using social media. She told News 6 that’s how she likes to spend her time when she’s not with friends.

“Yes, I do, (use it) not during school but when I get home I’m on Pinterest, Tik Tok, Wattpad reading,” she said.

But a new Florida bill could change that. HB 1 is a bill that would restrict teens under 16 from using social media, and could pass the Florida House Wednesday afternoon.

Rene’s mother, Erica Carcagente, said it should be up to parents to decide the use of social media when it comes to their children.

[RELATED: How to contact your Florida lawmakers]

“I feel like up to the decision of the parents. I have no idea how they are going to control something like that because kids can always get on and just lie about their birthday anyway, so I have no idea how something like that could be controlled,” Carcagente said.

The bill is a priority for Republican leaders in the Florida House, saying they are concerned about reports that social media is affecting teens’ mental health.

A Florida Democrat proposed an amendment to the bill that would allow parents to give permission for their children to be on social media Tuesday. That amendment failed.

News 6 spoke to Dr. Monica Barreto, Clinical Director of Behavioral Health for Nemours Children’s Health. Barreto said she is seeing the biggest impact of social media on sleep and time management in school.

“I would say more teenagers 15, 16, 17. The younger kids use it but not so much, it’s more video games that they are using more often. So even then, it is the older teens that are working on sleep, school management, putting our phones down, working doing our homework, and then giving yourself that free time. So, a lot of procrastination with the use of social media,” Barreto said.

Nemours has a guide for parents on helping their kids use social media responsibly on its website.

The bill does not say which platforms would be included and a similar bill in the Senate has not come up for any votes.

We break down the bill HERE.

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