11th Circuit Backs Florida Minors’ Social Media Law

On Oct. 14, 2026, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a unanimous 3-0 opinion reversing a preliminary injunction on Florida HB 3, allowing the law to take effect while litigation continues. Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024, HB 3 bans social media accounts for children under 14 and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds on platforms that use algorithms plus addictive features. Judge Kevin Newsom wrote that the law implicates the First Amendment but likely does so in a content-neutral manner and likely survives intermediate scrutiny because it does not burden substantially more speech than necessary to advance the interest in protecting minors from social-media addiction. He called it a conditional ban on addictive features and algorithms, facially content neutral based on functional capabilities. NetChoice and CCIA, whose members include Meta, Snap and Google, are the plaintiffs; Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker had granted the injunction after an amended complaint. Paul Taske of NetChoice said the group is evaluating all options to protect Floridians’ free-expression rights and keep parents in the driver’s seat. Matt Schruers of CCIA said the ruling is deeply concerning, risks altering First Amendment protections for users young and old, and risks imposing identity authentication based on unsubstantiated addiction claims. The case returns to federal court in Tallahassee.