Florida's Governor, Ron DeSantis, signed a bill on Monday prohibiting children under the age of 14 from using social media without parental consent. According to Reuters, the legislation aims to safeguard children from online risks and protect their mental health.

Under the new law, children under 14 are barred from accessing social networking platforms altogether. Additionally, 14 to 15-year-olds must obtain parental permission to use social media. This measure comes in response to growing concerns about the potential dangers posed by unrestricted access to social media platforms for young users.

Earlier this year, Florida's Republican-controlled legislature passed a more stringent bill prohibiting children under 16 from using social media entirely. However, Governor DeSantis vetoed this legislation, citing concerns about parental rights.

In his statement, Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of preserving parental authority in determining their children's online activities. The revised version of the bill now includes provisions requiring parental consent for older teens aged 14 to 15 to access social media platforms.

The new law is set to take effect on July 1, marking a significant step towards regulating children's online interactions and promoting safer internet usage among Florida's youth.