Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that will implement one of the most restrictive social media bans for minors in the country. The bill, which was slightly watered down from a previous proposal, will ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 15- and 16-year-olds. The bill was a top priority for Republican Speaker Paul Renner and is set to take effect on January 1.

During the bill-signing ceremony held at a Jacksonville school, Renner emphasized the need to protect children from the addictive nature of social media platforms. He stated that children do not have the ability to recognize the harm of these technologies and step away from them, which is why the government must intervene.

Governor DeSantis acknowledged that the law will likely face legal challenges on First Amendment grounds but expressed confidence that it will be upheld. He highlighted the importance of protecting children from the dangers of social media and stated that any bill he deems unconstitutional will be vetoed.

Opponents of the bill, including Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, argue that it infringes on parents' rights and that there are better ways to address the issue, such as improving parental oversight tools and investing in mental health programs.

The tech industry, represented by groups like NetChoice, has already expressed opposition to the bill and is expected to file a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. However, supporters of the bill, including Renner, are confident that the state will prevail in court and are prepared to defend the legislation.

Overall, the bill aims to protect children from the harmful effects of social media platforms by restricting their access and requiring parental consent for account creation. The legal battle over the bill's constitutionality is expected to unfold in the coming months.