The US state of Florida is banning the use of social media by children under the age of 14. The state's governor, Ron DeSantis, signed a related bill on Monday (March 25). Reuters news.

According to the bill, no child under the age of 14 can use social media. And 14 to 15-year-olds will need parental permission to use the media. This bill was passed mainly to protect online risks and mental health.

According to the bill signed by the governor, the social media accounts of children under the age of 14 will be deleted. And those under the age of 16 who have an account, but do not have parental permission, must undergo third-party verification.

The state's Republican-led legislature passed a bill this week in February; Which will completely ban children under 16 from social media. But DeSantis vetoed that bill. He said, this bill has limited the rights of parents.

The revised version of the bill mentions parental permission for children between the ages of 14 and 15 to use social media. The law will come into effect from July 1.

Ron DeSantis said in a statement that social media harms children in many ways. This law gives parents great powers to protect their children.

But critics say the bill violates the US Constitution's First Amendment protections for free speech. Not the government; Parents should make decisions about their children's online use.