On May 9th, 2023 HB 379 was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis with the bill going into effect last July 1st. The bill prevents students from accessing social media sites while using school-provided internet access (Wi-Fi). In addition, the bill limits content viewable to students to only age-appropriate content, “protects the safety and security of students when using… electronic communication… prohibits access to data or information, and other unlawful online activities, by students,” and prevents access to applications, apps, etc. that does not protect students’ personal information.
Only a teacher may allow students to access social media. But even then, how would a teacher have control over school-provided wifi allowing access to social media?
That’s not to mention that most students do not even need to ask to go on social media. While HB 379 mandates that school wifi prevent access to social media and harmful content on the internet, this has not stopped students from accessing said content. VPNs are commonly used among West Boca’s student body, basically bypassing any restrictions imposed by school wifi.
While other things are included in the bill, the main target is TikTok. As called out in the bill summary, TikTok is not allowed in Florida schools. This extends to using TikTok as a platform to promote school activities. So, clubs, honor societies, etc. that are tied to a Florida school won’t be able to promote themselves on TikTok. This takes away a large platform that clubs used in the past to promote themselves.
However, this is not Florida’s first foray into banning social media or TikTok. Government-owned and ‘higher education’ devices are not allowed to have TikTok either, which has been in effect since May. Now, the ban has been extended to public schools in Florida.
The most pressing concern to the Florida government and the U.S. government is TikTok‘s connection to the Chinese government. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has created laws that make any company based in China obligated to cooperate with any intelligence gathering. Legally, companies can’t refuse, which is a reason why TikTok has been flagged as a major privacy concern.
HB 379 also bans students from using “a wireless communications device” during school, unless a teacher allows devices to be used during instructional time. This policy is the same as using social media within a classroom setting, Florida schools leave teachers with the choice of allowing students to use social media or phones in general.
It’s only a matter of time before TikTok becomes banned in more than just schools. Florida has been banning TikTok (and other social media platforms) recently, progressing from a small portion of the population to all teenagers. Eventually, TikTok may become banned in the state of Florida. Florida would not be the first state to do this, joining Montana.
