DeSantis vetoes social media bill

On Friday afternoon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the social media bill that aimed to keep children under 16 years old off of social media.

DeSantis had stated previously that he was close to an alternative to the bill.

“A parent, you know, has the right to opt in if they think, because as much as I think it’s harmful to have people on these social media platforms for five or six hours a day, that a parent can supervise a kid to use it more sparingly,” said DeSantis.

The possible alternatives are not precisely known, just that DeSantis and House Speaker Paul Renner are discussing and working together on the bill.

State senator Johnathan Martin of Fort Myers agrees with the governor and says the second time around, lawmakers will give parents a choice.

“Parents should be given the opportunity to guide their kids to raise them in an appropriate manner and facilitate appropriate use of social media if they so desire,” said Senator Martin.

DeSantis has raised questions about the bill’s constitutionality and whether it oversteps on parents’ rights.

Local members of the State House and Senate told WINK News a new version of the bill can be done early next week.

Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on air for any new developments on this story.