Proposed Florida Law Could Delete Your Kid’s Social Media Accounts

On Tuesday, the Florida House will take up House Bill 1, which prevents minors under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts. The bill would also require social media platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram to delete accounts known to be held by minors under the age of 16. Another aspect of the bill is to provide additional ways to have children's accounts terminated, such as a request from a parent. The bill would also give jurisdiction of social media platforms violating these rules to the state courts. This proposed Florida law could essentially delete your kid's social media accounts.

The law would also require a disclaimer at log in for users under 18. It reads "This application may be harmful to your mental health and may use design features that have addictive qualities or present unverified information or that may be manipulated by [insert platform name] or others for your viewing. This application may also collect your personal data to further manipulate your viewable content and may share your personal data with others."

Similar laws have been proposed in California, but with intense lobbying from tech giants, those efforts have stalled. Privacy advocates cite the first amendment in these issues.

Here's the language of the Florida bill.

"An act relating to social media use for minors; requiring social media platforms to prohibit certain minors from creating new accounts, to terminate certain accounts and provide additional options for termination of such accounts, to use reasonable age verification methods to verify the ages of account holders, and to disclose specified policies and provide specified resources, measures, and disclaimers; authorizing the Department of Legal Affairs to bring actions for violations under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act; providing penalties; providing for private causes of actions; providing that certain social media platforms are subject to the jurisdiction of state courts; providing construction; authorizing the department to adopt rules; providing an effective date."

According to Tampafp "the House also will take up a bill (HB 3), sponsored by Rep. Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange, and Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, that would require age verification to try to prevent people under age 18 from having access to such things as pornography on websites and apps."

Another cool weekend to find some cool activities in Southwest Florida. Wow is there a great variety of things from Naples to Punta Gorda and everywhere in between. Pull out your smart phones and sync your weekend calendar with these 10 Southwest Florida events. Here are your Weekend Vibes for January 19th through the 21st.

First, sports lovers. If your sport is boating, there is a big boat show in Naples that you wont want to miss. However, if your sport involves the pickleball court you might want to head to Punta Gorda for a big tournament. Finally, jousting might be your idea of a fun sport to watch. If so, you'll want to go to the Venezia Renaissance Faire in Bonita Springs.

Parents and grandparents might want to take note of this one to entertain the kids. Heck, you might like it too. Mattel is bringing its Barbie "truck tour" to Southwest Florida. We have a preview below. Besides this being the season for art festivals in Southwest Florida, it is also wine fest time. There are two big ones, the first is this weekend in Fort Myers. The SWFL Food and Wine Fest is Saturday. Click here for more details or scroll down for the highlights.

Finally, if you have any upcoming events that you would like to share, please send them here.  Here are your Weekend Vibes for January 19th through the 21st. Get out and have some local fun at these events.

*Please note, events are subject to change. It never hurts to confirm with a phone all or check of social media and event websites.

It's the biggest boat show in Naples and it is all weekend long. You'll find vessels in the water at Naples City Dock and on display at Sugden Regional Park. There is a complimentary shuttle service for parking. The show opens at 10am each day. Tickets start at $12 in advance. More info here.

This is a delight for food and wine lovers. The annual festival has donated more than $27 million to Golisano Children’s Hospital and for scholarships in the health field for local students. The tasting event and auction take place Saturday at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers. You don't have to attend to bid on some of the amazing auction items. Online bidding is open. Tickets $1000. More info here.

This happens the third Friday of every month, mostly along First Street in downtown Fort Myers. There is live music almost everywhere, from the galleries and shops, the restaurants and bars. Even on the streets. The party is 6-10

This Home and Garden Show is in Punta Gorda at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Meet industry experts, watch demos, win prizes and get inspired when it comes to upgrading or repairing anything in your home or outdoor space. Saturday and Sunday 10a.m. to 4p.m. Free. More info here.

It's not just any pickleball event. This big, five day tournament features professional players as well as amateurs' at the PicklePlex in Punta Gorda. It is also the first tournament stop to feature the Humana Cup. Ticket prices vary. More info here.

This is a renaissance and medieval faire with all kinds of strolling entertainment, music and medieval games like jousting and chariot races. The food is, medieval-style as well. The faire opens this weekend and also runs next weekend. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Bonita Beach Road next to Bonita Springs Poker Room. More info here. 

Barbie fans beware. The Barbie truck tour is coming to Southwest Florida. It's an eye-catching pink van filled to the top with all things Barbie. Besides Barbie swag, lots of kids activities are planned and there are photo ops with Barbie. It is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero. Free. More info  here. 

This new show by Gulf Coast Symphony opened Thursday and runs through February 3rd. Enjoy all the best music from Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Music & Arts Community Center in Fort Myers. Tickets start at $48.  More info here.

The Januaray event wraps up this weekend at Rookery Bay in Naples. It celbrates the diversity of wildlife in Southwest Florida highlighting our winged friends. Enjoy hands on activities, tours, beautiful wildlife films and more for the entire family. More info here.

If you are a car buff you wont to miss this one. It is Cape Coral Museum of History has another Classic Car Fest at Cultural Park. They are occuring every month through season with different themes. Besides cars there will be music, food trucks, merchants and more. Saturday 10a.m.- 2p.m. Free. More info here.