F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 207 2024
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to social media protection for minors;
3 creating s. 501.174, F.S.; providing a definition;
4 requiring social media platforms to disclose specified
5 policies and provide specified resources, measures,
6 and disclaimers; authorizing social media platforms to
7 post specified compliance statements on their Internet
8 homepage or platform user login page; prohibiting
9 certain schools from using or having an account on
10 certain social media platforms and from requiring
11 students to register, enroll, or participate in social
12 media platforms for educational purposes; providing
13 applicability; providing an effective date.
14
15 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17 Section 1. Section 501.174, Florida Statutes, is created
18 to read:
19 501.174 Social media protection for minors.-
20 (1) As used in this section, the term "social media
21 platform" or "platform" means a digital platform operating in
22 the state predominantly accessed by platform users who are under
23 the age of 18 that offers forms of electronic communication
24 through which such platform users are permitted to create online
25 communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and
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26 other content.
27 (2) Beginning January 1, 2025, a social media platform, on
28 its Internet homepage or platform user login page or through a
29 clearly labeled, conspicuous, and readily accessible link on
30 such homepage or login page, must:
31 (a) Disclose the following social media platform policies
32 in a manner that is clearly, concisely, prominently, and
33 understandably written using language suited to the age of users
34 who are under the age of 18 likely to routinely access the
35 platform without unrelated, confusing, or contradictory
36 materials:
37 1. The content moderation policies the social media
38 platform uses for content on the platform.
39 2. Whether the social media platform uses or allows the
40 use of addictive design or deceptive pattern features, including
41 autoplay or infinite scroll.
42 3. Whether the social media platform allows manipulated
43 photographs or digital images to be shared on the platform.
44 4. Whether the social media platform considers the best
45 interests of platform users who are under the age of 18 when
46 designing, developing, and providing services.
47 5. The methodology the social media platform uses to
48 consider the best interests of platform users who are under the
49 age of 18 when designing, developing, and providing services.
50 6. The policies and protections the social media platform
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51 uses to protect platform users who are under the age of 18
52 against harmful behaviors, such as bullying, harassment, and
53 threats of violence or self-harm.
54 7. Whether the social media platform collects or sells
55 personal information of platform users who are under the age of
56 18, including personal identifiers, biometrics, and geolocation
57 data. If such personal information is collected, the platform
58 must disclose the type of personal information collected and the
59 purpose of such collection. If such personal information is
60 sold, the platform must disclose to whom the information is
61 sold.
62 (b) Provide clear access to the following:
63 1. Zip code-based references to local resources for law
64 enforcement, suicide prevention, and domestic violence
65 prevention services.
66 2. Protective measures such as screen time limitations,
67 data usage limitations, content filters, and other parental
68 settings.
69 3. Reporting mechanisms related to harmful behaviors, such
70 as bullying, harassment, and threats of violence or self-harm.
71 (3) At the time of log in, and before obtaining access to
72 the platform, a social media platform must require platform
73 users who are under the age of 18 to read and accept a
74 disclaimer which must be in substantially the following form:
75
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76 This application may be harmful to your mental health
77 and may use design features that have addictive
78 qualities or present unverified information or that
79 may be manipulated by [insert platform name] or others
80 for your viewing. This application may also collect
81 your personal data to further manipulate your viewable
82 content and may share your personal data with others.
83
84 (4) A social media platform that complies with subsections
85 (2) and (3) may post a statement confirming such compliance on
86 its Internet homepage or platform user login page.
87 (5) A public K-12 school may not:
88 (a) Use or have an account on a social media platform that
89 does not have a statement pursuant to subsection (4) on its
90 Internet homepage or platform user login page.
91 (b) Require students, regardless of age, to register,
92 enroll, or participate in a social media platform as a means to
93 access information, materials, or resources related to school -
94 sponsored educational activities. This paragraph does not apply
95 to portal, email, and message board accounts used for official
96 business with the school or to classroom information, materials,
97 or resources viewed in a classroom on one screen controlled by
98 instructional or administrative personnel of the school.
99 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
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