Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Florida's Social Media Law

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from tech industry groups challenging Florida's 2024 law that restricts children's access to certain social media platforms. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled that the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice failed to demonstrate legal standing, as they did not provide sufficient evidence that their members would be negatively impacted by the law. The legislation prohibits children under 14 from creating accounts and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. It does not specify affected platforms but outlines criteria related to features like algorithms and addictive elements. The industry groups argue that the law infringes on First Amendment rights, but Walker noted that the plaintiffs did not adequately show how any specific platform met the law's criteria. The groups plan to file a revised lawsuit by March 31, 2024.