Latest news with #HouseBill3
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Federal judge blocks Florida's social media ban for children
June 3 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Florida on Tuesday temporarily blocked a state ban on social media for children, calling it "likely unconstitutional." Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a 58-page order, reversing part of the 2024 state law, which prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from using certain social media platforms, with the exception of 14- and 15-year-olds who have parental permission. "Although this court today finds that Florida's challenged law is likely unconstitutional, it does not doubt that parents and legislators in the state have sincere concerns about the effects that social media use may have on youth, nor does it render parents or the state powerless to address those concerns," Walker wrote. House Bill 3, also called "Online Protections for Minors," received bipartisan support when it passed last year. The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires social media sites to delete accounts for anyone under the age of 14 or face hefty fines. The law was scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, but the state attorney general's office agreed not to enforce it until the judge could rule on the request for a preliminary injunction. NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which represents social media platforms including Meta, Google and Snapchat, filed their lawsuit in October. "This ruling vindicates our argument that Florida's statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors -- and likely adults as well -- from using certain social media websites to view lawful content," Matt Schruers, president of Computer & Communications Industry Association, said Tuesday in a statement. While the judge focused on the social media provisions of the law, he left intact the age verification requirement to access pornographic websites. "An established principle of the First Amendment context is that enabling individuals to voluntarily restrict problematic content at the receiving end is preferred over restricting speech at the source," Walker wrote. "In this context, that means that parents are best positioned to make the appropriately individualized determinations about whether or when their children should use social media platforms," the judge added. Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was named as a defendant in the case, disagreed with Tuesday's ruling. His office said it plans to appeal. "Florida parents voted through their elected representatives for a law protecting kids from the harmful and sometimes lifelong tragic impacts of social media," said spokesperson Jeremy Redfern. "These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products."
UPI
7 days ago
- General
- UPI
Federal judge blocks Florida's social media ban for children
June 3 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Florida on Tuesday temporarily blocked a state ban on social media for children, calling it "likely unconstitutional." Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a 58-page order, reversing part of the 2024 state law, which prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from using certain social media platforms, with the exception of 14- and 15-year-olds who have parental permission. "Although this court today finds that Florida's challenged law is likely unconstitutional, it does not doubt that parents and legislators in the state have sincere concerns about the effects that social media use may have on youth, nor does it render parents or the state powerless to address those concerns," Walker wrote. House Bill 3, also called "Online Protections for Minors," received bipartisan support when it passed last year. The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, requires social media sites to delete accounts for anyone under the age of 14 or face hefty fines. The law was scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, but the state attorney general's office agreed not to enforce it until the judge could rule on the request for a preliminary injunction. NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which represents social media platforms including Meta, Google and Snapchat, filed their lawsuit in October. "This ruling vindicates our argument that Florida's statute violates the First Amendment by blocking and restricting minors -- and likely adults as well -- from using certain social media websites to view lawful content," Matt Schruers, president of Computer & Communications Industry Association, said Tuesday in a statement. While the judge focused on the social media provisions of the law, he left intact the age verification requirement to access pornographic websites. "An established principle of the First Amendment context is that enabling individuals to voluntarily restrict problematic content at the receiving end is preferred over restricting speech at the source," Walker wrote. "In this context, that means that parents are best positioned to make the appropriately individualized determinations about whether or when their children should use social media platforms," the judge added. Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was named as a defendant in the case, disagreed with Tuesday's ruling. His office said it plans to appeal. "Florida parents voted through their elected representatives for a law protecting kids from the harmful and sometimes lifelong tragic impacts of social media," said spokesperson Jeremy Redfern. "These platforms do not have a constitutional right to addict kids to their products."
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Buckle up? Push continues for seatbelts in local school buses
AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW) — There's a new push to install seatbelts on school buses in one local district. Avon Lake resident Dr. Rudy Breglia called on Avon Lake City Council Monday night to pass a resolution that would support seatbelts in school buses and compel the Avon Lake School District to conduct another Seat Belt Pilot Program. Microplastic dangers: What to know about tiny particles in our bodies 'Because the last pilot program they ran didn't have the requirement that children had to use the seatbelts that were available,' Breglia said. Back in 2019, Avon Lake added two school buses with lap and shoulder restraints as part of a pilot program. Ultimately, the district decided it wasn't sustainable. Meanwhile, Breglia has continued his efforts to get schools to buckle up. 'The reason I approached city council was because they share responsibility with the school district to provide safety for the children during transportation,' said Breglia. Breglia said the resolution would also support House Bill 3, the school bus safety act. 'The house version will appropriate 25 million to the idea of bus safety,' said State Rep. Joe Miller of District 53. Miller said the grant money from HB 3 could be used by a district to purchase seat belts. 'I think each district needs to make decision for themselves to decide the best way to keep children safe on the bus,' Miller said. 1 dead after small plane crashes in Ashland County The Avon Lake School District did not return phone calls seeking comment on the resolution Monday night. Avon Lake City Council is expected to vote on the resolution in two weeks. Meanwhile House Bill 3 has been assigned to committee in the statehouse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida's Attorney General announces lawsuit against Snapchat
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit against Snapchat, based on their dangerous practices, to protect children from predators During a press conference in Tampa on Tuesday, the AG urged parents to monitor their children's internet access, as Snapchat is advertising to children as young as 13. Children could receive photos, messages and other graphic information on the app, where messages and photos can disappear. 'No good secrets': 13 arrested in Tampa Bay Latin Kings drug trafficking operation 'They're deceptive, they lure people in, they prey upon them, they try to set up meetings, they ask for photos,' the attorney general said. 'And we're not gonna tolerate that. We're gonna hold these people accountable.' AG Uthmeier was joined by Special Counsel to the Attorney General Rita Peters, who has been prosecuting sex crimes and child exploitation for the past 26 years. She said apps like Snapchat allow predators to target children and fly under the radar, making it more difficult to be caught. A mother of six spoke out during the news conference, saying predators extort children on apps like Snapchat. 'It disgusts me what we deal with. It's an addiction,' the mother said when referencing children wanting to download these apps. 'We're not gonna let people cash in on our kids,' AG Uthmeier added. 'We're going to be putting these bad guys away.' According to the attorney general, Snapchat is breaking the law by trying to make the application more addictive. He also alluded to House Bill 3, which prohibits children at a certain age from having access to these platforms. Last week, the attorney general launched an investigation into Roblox over concerning reports that the online platform may be exposing children to harmful and graphic material. live streamed the press conference, which can be viewed in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eanes ISD applying to program to increase teacher pay
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Eanes Independent School District is looking into ways to reward teachers who are going above and beyond in the classroom through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Teacher Incentive Allotment program. 'It does help reward teachers for the very hard work that we know they do every day in our classroom,' said Eanes ISD Superintendent Jeff Arnett. Jarrell ISD teachers awarded thousands for top performance This week the district applied for the program. If approved, districts can identify and designate outstanding teachers based on student growth and classroom observation. In March, top performing educators were awarded for their phenomenal work with nearly $170,000 divided up and given to 15 teachers at Jarrell Independent School District campuses, according to the district. It was all possible through the TIA program. There are three designations which deciphers how much a teacher can make, the designations include 'Recognized', 'Exemplary' and 'Master'. 'Each of those three levels comes with an additional amount of compensation, in our case it would be $3,000 for the earlier level, up to $12,000 for the highest level,' Arnett said. He said Eanes ISD looked at applying five years ago, but they decided not to after discussion with teachers. 'It does not apply to every teacher in our school district, [every teacher] would not be eligible for that money unfortunately,' Arnett said. 'You have to designate the teachers and the subject area.' Texas school closing due to lack of state funding, says district Teachers eligible to receive extra funding would be English and language arts, as well as math teachers in grades fourth through eighth grade. 'Most recently there are very strong signals coming from the legislature that any future funding for teacher compensation may be contingent on a district being a member of the Teacher Incentive Allotment program.' TIA funding was built into Texas state law as part of House Bill 3 during the 86th Texas Legislature. That bill provided more money for Texas classrooms and increased teacher compensation. 'Some feel like it introduces competition among teachers,' Arnett said. 'We feel like the real motivation for us to be a part of it is we can no longer afford to leave money on the table when it comes to how we compensate our staff.' Districts must spend at least 90% of the allotment on teacher compensation on the campus of the designated teacher, while up to 10% can be used to support the local designation system according to the TIA website. Erica Pauda contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
