Individuals aged 16 and under will likely be banned from using social media in the immediate future as the state of Florida looks to pass another controversial bill. The legislation would affect guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort and beyond, restricting them from using popular apps like Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat at the Disney park.

Florida may contain the enchanted spires of Cinderella Castle and Disney magic laced throughout its history, but the Sunshine State is also a political hotspot and has been the epicenter of discourse regarding certain polarizing laws and the current 2024 Presidential race.
Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’s signing of the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, or HB 1557, in 2022, the state became a hive of contention as residents attempted to straddle the distinct lines drawn by the government and Florida’s biggest cultural entity, Walt Disney World Resort. Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek publicly called out the bill, setting in motion a socio-political firestorm still being examined to this day.

What became colloquially called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill sparked a furor not just in Florida but across the United States of America. And while the initial reaction to DeSantis’s aggressive tactics was celebrated by many of his peers and supporters, that confidence wavered when the Governor continued his retaliation against Bob Iger and the House of Mouse, with one of his more brazen actions being to dismantle Disney’s history Reedy Creek Improvement District and replace it with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD).
During this continued war on the homefront, Ron DeSantis is readying his pen once again, except this time he is targeting social media. As Click Orlando reports, DeSantis is expected to sign a bill–HB 1–into law on Thursday, February 22, 2024, and will require all social media users to verify their age. Anyone aged 16 and under will be restricted from using popular apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Related: FBI Officially Intervened In Disney’s Moving “Plans,” New State Home Blocked With Federal Charges
The Florida Senate convened on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, to reject an amendment that would make individuals who use social media for business exempt from the new law. Republican for Fort Pierce and State Senator Erin Grall, who is also sponsoring the bill, said:
“There is no ability for informed parental consent because the behemoth that is big tech — and five companies alone, they made over $222 billion in 2022 in revenues. I am challenged to find a parent that can keep up with what the power of that dollar is doing to take their child from them.”

Democrat for Davie, Broward County, and State Senator Lauren Brook contested the bill. “But we know that’s what’s happening on those platforms. So you or I… or any one of us who has children that are under the age of 16 can say, ‘You’re not doing it,’” said the politician, according to Click Orlando. “Why is it the legislature or the government’s place to be doing that for our children?”
While HB 1 does not specifically name apps that will be banned from use for individuals aged 16 and under, it does define them as:
- Use of addictive, harmful, or deceptive design features or any other feature that is designed to cause an account holder to have an excessive or compulsive need to use or engage with the social media platform (such as autoplay or infinite scrolling)
- Tracks the activity of an account holder, collects data, does targeted ad use, etc.

Per the Click Orlando report, the HB 1 bill requires social media companies to delete accounts held by users aged 16 and under and also restrict these individuals from creating new accounts. The bill demands that age verification through third-party software be used and that verification happens before the account is created. This will also be in place for adult users.
In 2023, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory that linked mental health issues in children to the use of social media.
“Social media use by young people is nearly universal, with up to 95% of young people ages 13-17 reporting using a social media platform and more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release reads.

However, while this bill is expected to pass, the Governor did show concern over its rollout earlier this year. Speaking to a News 6 reporter, DeSantis said (via Click Orlando):
“I think social media has been a net negative for our youth without question. Now, having said that, there have been other other states that have tried to do similar things that have met resistance in the courts, and not to say courts are always right about this, but I anything I do, I want a pathway for this to actually stick. So we’re going to look through that.”
States like Louisiana, Texas, and Utah have all tried to impose similar social media bans but are being challenged in the courts. Whether Florida’s effort will be the same is a story yet to be told. Chances are, though, there will be major backlash from children and teenagers who spend time on these apps when the law is rolled out.

Related: Video Shows “De-Wokeified Magical Kingdom” as Disney Becomes “DeSantis World”
While it’s unclear at this time whether the bill will target only Florida residents or anyone visiting the state, as well, it’s not too outlandish to think that tourists may also be impacted. Last year, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed legislation that would ban TikTok from being used in Big Sky Country. While a U.S. judge blocked the bill that would have taken effect on January 1, 2024, the law was intended to ban anyone from downloading TikTok in Montana, not only residents of the state.
As Florida’s new social media bill makes its way through legislation, time will tell if it will impact only residents of the Sunshine State or tourists as well. If the latter, those aged 16 and under will not be able to share their favorite moments online or do the latest dance trend in front of Cinderella Castle or look up the best places to eat or even talk to their friends over these apps. It will be a culture change statewide and alter the Disney experience forever for a huge proportion of guests. The expected signing of this bill on Thursday will likely not be the end of this tale.
Do you think banning children from social media is the correct move? How will this change your trip to Walt Disney World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!