The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared Florida to enforce a law restricting social media accounts for children. The ruling allows the state to proceed while platform trade groups continue their legal challenge.
Eleventh Circuit lifts injunction
The court ruled on October 14 that Florida may enforce House Bill 3. It said the law likely passes an initial First Amendment review because it is a content-neutral restriction aimed at social media features linked to addictive use. (Associated Press; 11th Circuit opinion)
The decision reversed a lower-court order that had blocked enforcement. The appeals court did not issue a final ruling on every constitutional question, but it found that the groups challenging the law were unlikely to win their initial case against the restrictions. (11th Circuit opinion)
Under-14 accounts face removal
Florida’s law requires covered social media platforms to prevent children under 14 from creating accounts. It also requires parental consent for users who are 14 or 15. Platforms must terminate accounts covered by those rules and give users 90 days to dispute an account decision. (Florida Senate statute)
The law applies to platforms that meet specified user and feature tests. Covered features include infinite scrolling, autoplay and live streaming. Services whose exclusive function is email or direct messaging are excluded from the definition. (Florida Senate statute)
Platforms face legal pressure
The case was brought by the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice. The groups argued that the law violates free-speech rights and have challenged similar youth-access laws in other states. (11th Circuit opinion)
References
Associated Press. (2026, October 14). Florida wins key ruling allowing it to enforce a law that targets social media use by kids. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/94731edbd245453271d169836472e665
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. (2026, October 14). Computer & Communications Industry Association v. Attorney General, State of Florida, No. 25-11881. https://media.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/files/202511881.pdf
Florida Senate. (2026). Chapter 501, section 1736: Social media use for minors. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/0501.1736