PEN America warns Florida will get sued over youth social media ban

A new law restricting Florida youth from social media is hazarding a legal challenge unless Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoes it, warns one group.

PEN America believes HB 3, which requires parental consent for users under 16, presents First Amendment pitfalls and is a “blatant act of overreach” designed to stifle speech.

The bill was passed by overwhelming margins, with just five No votes in the Senate and four in the House. But despite that bipartisan support, Pen America’s Katie Blankenship warns that it will only mean trouble for the state.

“Governor DeSantis has voiced concerns about this measure in the past, vetoing the first version of this bill, HB 1. The changes to HB 3, providing limited parental consent options, do not cure the bill’s constitutional infringements. We urge the governor to veto the bill and steer clear of further censoring speech in our state,” Blankenship asserts.