Politics · United States · 12 hrs ago
Appeals court allows Florida to enforce social media law for under-14s
A federal appeals court has cleared Florida to enforce its social media law for children under 14.
The law applies to platforms with features such as autoplay videos and endless scrolling, and bars them from letting under-14s create accounts.
A three-judge panel in Atlanta ruled unanimously, overturning a lower court order that had blocked enforcement.
Tech industry groups argued the law violates free-speech protections, while the appeals court said it regulates platform features rather than the content people post.
The ruling is part of a wider debate over social media and young people’s mental health.
The industry groups say they are considering their options, and Florida’s separate case against Snapchat owner Snap is to continue in state court.
A federal appeals court on Oct. 14 allowed Florida to enforce a law barring children under 14 from creating accounts on certain social media platforms.
The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court injunction that had blocked enforcement.
The law applies to platforms with features described as addictive, including autoplay videos and infinite scrolling.
Tech industry groups had argued that the law violates constitutional free-speech protections.
- Who
- A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on the law; tech industry groups challenged it.
- What
- The court allowed Florida to enforce a law barring children under 14 from creating accounts on certain social media platforms.
- When
- Oct. 14, 2026.
- Where
- Florida, in the United States; the appeals court is based in Atlanta.
- Why
- Florida enacted the law to regulate children’s use of social media amid concerns about apps’ effects on young people’s mental health.
Florida
Tech industry groups
Constitutionality
Florida
Florida defended the law, and the appeals court said it does not regulate platform content or violate the First Amendment.
Tech industry groups
NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association argued the law violates free-speech protections.
Who makes family decisions
Florida
Florida’s law bars covered platforms from allowing children under 14 to create accounts.
Tech industry groups
NetChoice said parents should remain in control of decisions for their families.
NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association sued to block Florida’s law.
Florida Attorney-General James Uthmeier sued Snapchat owner Snap, accusing it of using features that addict children and opening accounts for children aged 13 and younger.
A lower court rejected Florida’s request to order Snap to comply with the law, finding it likely violated constitutional rights.
The 11th Circuit overturned the injunction blocking enforcement of the law and also sent the state’s case against Snap to state court.
- Age limit
- Under 14
- Law
- H.B. 3
- Appeals court
- 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
- Ruling
- Unanimous, by a three-judge panel
- Covered features
- Video autoplay and infinite scrolling
5 sources
محكمة أمريكية تسمح لولاية فلوريدا بحظر استخدام منصات التواصل الاجتماعي على الأطفال
القضاء الأمريكي يمنح فلوريدا الضوء الأخضر لتقييد حسابات الأطفال
محكمة تسمح لولاية أميركية بمنع الأطفال من استخدام منصات التواصل الاجتماعي
Florida can enforce state law barring young kids from social media, appeals court rules
What people are saying
HB3 applies to platforms wholly without regard to the topics discussed or the ideas or messages conveyed on them
currently evaluating all of our options as we continue the fight to ensure Floridians’ rights to free expression online are protected, and parents remain in the driver’s seat when it comes to making decisions for their families