Florida is poised to join states that have been protecting minors from pornography and other harmful online content.

From Orlando Sentinel. Florida lawmakers are considering new laws that aim to keep children away from sexually explicit websites and harmful social media posts, joining a movement gaining momentum in state capitals across the country.

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One proposal (HB 1) would restrict access to social media platforms for anyone under age 16. Another measure (HB 3) would require pornography websites to verify that visitors are 18 years or older.

Other states have passed similar bills in recent years. Those new laws are being litigated.

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner said he wants to combat digital addiction that he thinks have created mental health issues, bullying and other problems for youths. …

What the bills do

HB 1 — sponsored by Reps. Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, and Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota — would require social media companies to implement age-verification methods, prevent users under 16 from creating a new account and terminate existing underage accounts. …

The bill includes numerous exceptions for email, direct messaging, news outlets, streaming services that provide “only licensed media” and other websites.

HB 3 — sponsored by Rep. Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange — would require sexually explicit websites with more than a third of content deemed to be harmful to minors to “perform reasonable age verification” using a third-party service.

Opponents cite concerns

Similar bills have met opposition in other states from Big Tech, the adult entertainment industry and civil liberties groups.

In 2022, Louisiana passed a law requiring adult websites to verify users are at least 18 years old by requiring digitized, state-issued driver’s licenses or other methods. Arkansas is requiring age verification and parental consent for children opening social media accounts.

Those efforts and similar laws passed in other states are being challenged in the courts. …

Pornhub, one of the most-visited websites on the internet, and other adult platforms have cut off access to residents of several states with age-verification laws. …

Internet filters  

A third proposal (SB 1196/HB 1129) would require content filters to be turned on by default on tablets and smartphones. Parents would be given a pin to disable the filter if they choose, rather than having to set it up on their own, supporters said. …

The bill also seeks to add criminal penalties for adults who engage in “hypersexualized” online discussions with children, which can be difficult to prosecute under existing laws, he said.

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, an anti-pornography organization, is championing default filters, which advocates say will pass constitutional muster. …

The idea is to activate those filters when parents purchase a tablet or cellphone for their child or a minor purchases one on their own. …

Many states are taking important steps to protect children. Is your state one of them? Share this article to encourage others to pray for the kids in your state!

(Excerpt from Orlando Sentinel. Photo Credit: ClarkandCompany/Getty Images Signature via Canva Pro)