A US appeals court lets Florida enforce a law banning social media accounts for under-14s, rejecting tech groups' claims that it violates free speech rights

Florida children aged 14 and 15 now need parental consent to use social media accounts.

A U.S. appeals court has allowed Florida to enforce a law that bans social media accounts for children under 14. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 3-0 that the law, signed in 2024, likely does not violate free speech rights and is a content-neutral measure. The court found it necessary to protect minors from social media addiction. The law also requires parental consent for 14 and 15-year-olds. Tech industry groups Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice had sued, arguing the law infringed on free speech. A previous injunction against the law was in place until this appeals court decision. The case will now return to a federal court in Tallahassee. The appeals court specified that the law targets platforms using algorithms and addictive features that induce heavy use by children.

This ruling signals a potential shift in how states can regulate online platforms, moving beyond content moderation to address the addictive nature of algorithmic feeds and platform design. The court's validation of a "content-neutral" approach to protecting minors from addiction could embolden other states to pursue similar legislation, potentially leading to a patchwork of age-gating and consent requirements across the U.S. This could complicate user acquisition and engagement strategies for social media companies operating nationwide.

The decision specifically carves out platforms that "use both algorithms and one of several addictive features," a nuanced definition that could spur further legal challenges and industry adjustments. Tech groups are evaluating options, suggesting continued litigation and a focus on parental rights and free expression. The future legal landscape for social media access by minors remains fluid, with significant implications for both platform providers and the digital rights of young users and their families.