Big Tech Giants Demand ‘Fast Track’ Review to Halt Florida Teen Social Media Ban
Following a pivotal ruling last week that cleared the way for Florida to enforce a contentious 2024 social media law, major technology industry groups are fighting to speed up the legal process. On Wednesday, NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association filed a motion urging the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to expedite arguments regarding the constitutionality of the legislation.
The legal maneuver comes days after an appellate panel issued a stay on a preliminary injunction originally ordered by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in June. That stay effectively gave Florida the green light to implement HB 3, a law barring children under 14 from holding accounts on certain platforms and requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds.
While the law does not explicitly name the affected companies, criteria involving “infinite scroll” and “autoplay” features suggest platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat fall under its scope.
In Wednesday’s filing, the industry groups argued that the current legal limbo creates “immediate harm” to the First Amendment rights of both the platforms and their users.
“Florida House Bill 3 is the latest attempt in a long line of government efforts to restrict new forms of constitutionally protected expression based on concerns about their potential effects on minors,” the motion stated, emphasizing the need for legal clarity on the law’s enforceability.
The appellate court remains sharply divided on the issue. The majority opinion, written by Judge Elizabeth Branch and joined by Judge Barbara Lagoa, argued that the law targets “addictive features” rather than content regulation.
Conversely, Judge Robin Rosenbaum issued a scathing dissent, calling the law “plainly unconstitutional on its face.” Rosenbaum warned that the verification requirements would chill speech by forcing even adults to hand over identifying information to access these platforms.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has already signaled readiness to proceed, stating on X after the stay was granted that “HB 3 is now the law of the state and will be enforced.”
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