WASHINGTON—Heritage Action, a conservative grassroots organization with two million activists nationwide, including thousands of Floridians, released the following statement from Florida State Director Karen Jaroch supporting the Florida Legislature’s passage of HB 3, legislation that protects children from adult websites by verifying the age of users:
“Florida has a duty to protect its kids from the dangers of addictive social media and pornography that is far too easy to access. HB 3 is an important first step to protect kids online, but more work remains to be done. Parents should celebrate the age verification rules in HB 3 that will shield children from adult websites, while also recognizing the need for additional age verification policies to safeguard kids from addictive social media.
“Heritage Action applauds the Florida Legislature for passing HB 3 and urges lawmakers to take up the full suite of policies in HB 1 that are necessary to hold Big Tech accountable and reverse the social media addiction hurting our kids.”
A large body of research indicates a strong link between excessive social media use and serious negative health consequences for children. Kids who spend hours per day on social media are twice as likely to suffer from mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
Heritage Action supports holding social media and other Big Tech companies accountable for selling users’ personal data, failing to safeguard minors from exploitation, and knowingly designing addictive features. Heritage Action strongly supported the Florida House’s passage of HB 1 in February and remains supportive of the policies in the bill.
BACKGROUND:
- Heritage Action: Heritage Action Praises Florida’s Landmark HB 1 for Protecting Children from Online Exploitation
- The Heritage Foundation: Hold Big Tech Accountable
- The Daily Signal: Congress: Stop Expecting Big Tech to Protect Kids Unless You Make Them
- The Heritage Foundation: Social Media Is Hurting Kids, but a Fix May Be on Horizon