Florida secured a significant legal victory on Wednesday when a federal appeals court ruled that the state can begin enforcing its controversial law restricting social media use by minors. The decision, issued by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, lifts an injunction that had blocked the measure since a lower court deemed it likely unconstitutional.
The law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024, is among the most stringent in the nation. It prohibits children under 14 from holding social media accounts and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. The measure targets platforms that use algorithms and addictive features designed to encourage heavy use by minors.
In its unanimous opinion, the appeals court acknowledged that the law implicates First Amendment rights but concluded that it does so in a content-neutral manner. The panel wrote that the law is likely to survive a full legal challenge because it does not burden substantially more speech than necessary to advance the state's important interest in protecting minors from social media addiction.
The ruling reverses a 2025 decision by a federal judge in Tallahassee, who had granted a preliminary injunction in response to lawsuits filed by the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice, two industry trade groups representing major tech companies. Those groups argued that the law violated the free-speech rights of both social media providers and users.
With the injunction now overturned, the case will return to the district court for further proceedings. NetChoice expressed disappointment with the appellate ruling. In a statement, attorney Paul Taske said the organization is evaluating its options and remains committed to protecting online free expression while ensuring parents retain decision-making authority for their families.
The appeals court's decision marks a pivotal moment in the broader national debate over how to regulate children's access to social media. Several states have enacted or proposed similar measures, but Florida's law has been closely watched because of its breadth and the legal challenges it has faced.
Supporters of the law argue that it is a necessary step to combat the mental health crisis linked to excessive social media use among adolescents. Opponents counter that it overreaches and infringes on constitutional protections.
The Florida attorney general's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The case is expected to continue as the lower court assesses the law's constitutionality on the merits.
