For many adults, social media is a way to connect with friends and family and watch the latest viral videos, but for children under 18, social media can be a dangerous place of predators or bullying. To combat those growing threats, Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a Republican from Spring Hill,has introduced Senate Bill 868 aimed at helping law enforcement obtain digital evidence in felony cases involving minors, such as child solicitation or dissemination of child pornography.
The bill takes a bold step to require social media sites to “disable end-to-end encryption or other data encryption features that restrict the accessibility of messages so that a minor’s parent or legal guardian may view all messages and law enforcement may view messages relevant to a felony criminal investigation involving minors.”
The House companion bill, HB 743, doesn’t address encryption, but it would “require social media platforms to allow parents and legal guardians to view their 14- or 15-year-olds’ messages.” The House version would also prohibit social media platforms from allowing the use of disappearing messages for children under 14. The bill’s co-sponsor, Rep. Tyler Sirois, a Republican from Merritt Island, told the Editorial Board that goal of the bill is to “protect children by putting up guard rails around these platforms and the amount of influence they have.”
Both bills would allow parents or legal guardians and law enforcement access to children’s social media activity. The Senate bill would allow law enforcement the ability to “decrypt” messages with a subpoena.
Estimates on the number of children being subjected to sexual abuse or exploitation online vary; a recent study published in the journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health estimated one in 12, though other estimates are higher, including one from a U.S. Attorney’s Office in Texas which puts the number at one in five. But you don’t need an exact number to know this is a problem. Protecting children from online abuse, especially those under 14, must be a top priority.
Critics of the bill say that it intrudes on a child’s privacy and infringes on their First Amendment rights. Tom Julin, a Firs Amendment lawyer, told the Miami Herald Editorial Board, the bill could “effectively destroy the right of minors to engage in encrypted communications.”
“At any time, your communications could be subpoenaed,” Julin said. “There may be absolutely nothing illegal going on, but every aspect of your communication could be disclosed to law enforcement and to your parents.”
Ingoglia argues that end-to-end encryption is a serious issue, allowing social media companies “to shield that information from law enforcement.” Removing encryption on social media for minors would allow law enforcement the ability to go after child predators by gathering the necessary evidence to strengthen their legal cases.
Providing tools to both law enforcement and parents for intervention when a child is potentially in danger is crucial. However, the broadness of the law is an issue, and could lead to unintended consequences.
And allowing parents unfettered access to their children’s online activity could be problematic for some children. The public square for teenagers in 2025 has moved online, and as they navigate the world, some use social media to seek a safe space for support and to explore their identities. Not everyone comes from a safe and stable home environment.
The issue is complex and Florida lawmakers must consider the long-term implications. The overarching goal should be creating safer, more transparent digital environments where children — especially younger children — can explore, learn and connect with appropriate protections in place.
Digital privacy matters. But when minors are involved, that privacy cannot be absolute. Lawmakers must try to strike that balance as they consider these bills. Protecting even one child from being exploited on social media is worth it.
