Florida
2024 Florida Legislative Session preview: Social media
Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Flagler) took the stage at the Capital City’s Tiger Bay Club before Christmas, to speak on what legislation he would like to see go through the legislature—and social media was at the forefront.
“We gotta think about kids,” said Renner. “We tell them they can’t drink until they’re 18, they can’t smoke until they’re 18, they can’t get tattoos or earrings without their parents’ consent, all of these things.”
Phil Sears/AP
/
FR170567 AP
Renner said the idea of children having access to the same social platforms, and content, as adults doesn’t sit right with him.
“We need to let kids be kids. We need to let them grow in a place that’s safe and where they’re well educated and protected from all the people out there that have other ideas for them or want to shape them in a way that’s not age appropriate.”
Measures to correct the issue have been filed by lawmakers of both parties
A bill (HB 207) filed by Democratic Representative Michele Raynerof Hillsborough and Pinellas County would require platforms to disclose policies and provide disclaimers to users under the age of 18 about certain features like auto play or infinite scrolling.
The measure would also ban most schools in Florida from using or having social media accounts and no longer require students to participate in them. It’s the second year Rayner has filed the bill.
Scott Gries/Scott Gries/Invision/AP
/
Invision
“It provides guidelines, it provides accountability, and it ensures that the children of the state of Florida will be protected,” said Rayner. “Social media companies that operate within this state, will meet the guidelines to know that our children are being safe on social media.”
Representative Tyler Sirois (R-Brevard) has supported efforts to crack down on minors and social media in the past. Last year, he derided what he saw as social media platforms becoming tools for “social isolation.”
“You see an increased rate of bullying,” Sirois said during a House committee meeting. “You see an increased rate of suicide. We’ve had whistleblowers report to Congress about what these platforms are doing to the body image, particularly of young girls as it relates to their self-esteem.”
The House Speaker’s push for immediate action against social media comes off the heels of a hefty social media ban by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The governor banned K-12 students from using apps like TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter in schools. The effort also comes amid heightened scrutiny of the impact of social media on children.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.
What we know:
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.
READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD
Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.
Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.
What we don’t know:
LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.
By the numbers:
As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.
Dig deeper:
Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.
READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week
The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Trump threatens tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba
Trump warned Cuba to reach an agreement with the U.S. after signing an executive order to impose tariffs on countries that supply the island with oil.
HAVANA (Reuters) – Four people were killed and seven others were wounded on Feb. 25 after a speedboat from Florida entered Cuban waters and opened fire on Cuban forces, who returned fire, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said.
All four dead were aboard the Florida-based speedboat, and another six were injured, Cuba said. In addition, the Cuban commander of border patrol boat was wounded, Cuba said.
The wounded foreign attackers were evacuated and received medical attention, Cuba said.
The incident took place amid heightened tension between Cuba and the United States, which has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government. American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Jan. 3, removing a key Cuban ally from power.
“Faced with the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region,” the Cuban statement said.
Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Havana.
Video: The Web of Companies Owned by Elon Musk
Baz Luhrmann will make you fall in love with Elvis Presley
Here’s your first look at Kratos in Amazon’s God of War show
State Dept authorizes non-essential US Embassy personnel in Jerusalem to depart ahead of possible Iran strikes
Where Iran’s ballistic missiles can reach — and how close they are to the US
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Where Iran’s ballistic missiles can reach — and how close they are to the US
Has India’s influence in Afghanistan grown under the Taliban?
Bill Clinton to testify before House committee investigating Epstein links
Read Judge Schiltz’s Order
Vulnerable House Dem lashes out at Trump’s ‘racist’ SOTU challenge: ‘That was uncomfortable’
-
World2 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts2 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Oklahoma1 week agoWildfires rage in Oklahoma as thousands urged to evacuate a small city
-
Louisiana4 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology6 days agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Denver, CO2 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Technology6 days agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making