Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday proposed legislation that would expand protections for minors using social media, app stores and artificial intelligence chatbots by requiring parental consent for app downloads, restricting certain platform features and establishing new safety requirements for technology companies.
The proposal, called the Safe Screens Act, would require app stores to determine users’ ages, link minors’ accounts to parental accounts and obtain parental consent before allowing minors to download or purchase applications. AI chatbot operators would also be required to verify users’ ages, while operating systems would implement age-appropriate restrictions.
“Parents deserve real control, and companies must design for safety, not addiction,” said Attorney General Uthmeier. “Florida already prohibits social media accounts for anyone under 14, and the Eleventh Circuit just upheld that law. The Safe Screens Act goes further. If you invite Florida’s children onto your platform, you have a duty to keep them safe.”
For social media users ages 14 to 17, the legislation would establish mandatory restrictions, including blocking access between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and during school hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays during the academic year.
The measure would also limit social media use to two hours daily and 60 hours monthly, disable cosmetic filters and restrict features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling unless authorized by parents.
Additionally, platforms would be prohibited from recommending teenagers’ accounts to unconnected adults or permitting messages from those users.
The proposal would prohibit AI chatbots from offering minors features that simulate companionship, encourage self-harm or illegal activity, generate sexually explicit content or misrepresent themselves as human.
Under the legislation, knowing or reckless violations would constitute unfair practices under Florida law, carrying penalties of up to $50,000 per violation.
The Attorney General’s Office would have authority to pursue enforcement actions, seek damages and maintain a public website tracking reported incidents.
The proposal would require legislative approval before becoming law.