Federal Judge Denies Bid to Block Florida's Social Media Law for Minors

A federal judge has dismissed a request from tech industry groups to block Florida's 2024 law restricting social media access for children under 16, ruling that the groups lacked legal standing to challenge it. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker's decision highlighted that the plaintiffs, including representatives from tech giants like Google and Meta, failed to demonstrate that any member would suffer 'actual or imminent' harm due to the law. The law, which is set to take effect on January 1, prohibits accounts for children under 14 on platforms deemed to have 'addictive features' and allows parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Companies violating this law could face fines of up to $50,000 per incident. While the ruling is a victory for those supporting the law, the broader legal battle over its implications and potential First Amendment violations continues. The enforcement timeline remains uncertain as the state awaits further court proceedings.