Florida kicks kids off social media. Expect a lawsuit.

The big story: After vetoing the Legislature’s first attempt, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure aimed at keeping minors off of “addictive” social media.

Officials said the law, which takes effect in 2025, is the latest in a string of initiatives aimed at dampening the negative aspects of increasingly pervasive technology. These included requiring schools to teach children about the potential dangers of social media, barring the availability of certain platforms including TikTok on district-owned devices, and giving teachers more authority to prevent students from using cell phones during classes.

The latest bipartisan effort would, among other things, require social media providers to automatically delete the accounts of anyone they categorize as 14 or under. It added room for parental consent, which was not in the original bill.

DeSantis and others expected to face a legal challenge on First Amendment grounds, and predicted a win because the law does not target content. Read more here.

Hot topics

University presidents: Florida Polytechnic has five finalists for its president job. They’re all academics.

Unions: The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association fell short of the state’s 60% membership requirement, and will seek a recertification election, WUSF reports.

Teacher shortage: Some teachers who moved to Florida say they’re having trouble getting certified to teach here, WJXT reports.

Speed zones: The city of Fort Lauderdale is preparing to launch a pilot program for cameras to catch speeders in school zones, WTVJ reports.

School boards: There’s still no word on the fate of Indian River County School Board member Brian Barefoot’s attempt to rescind his resignation, which he tendered after he thought he moved outside his District 5, TC Palm reports. The seat remains vacant.

Parent involvement: Gadsden County school district officials have begun a series of monthly meetings to talk with parents about campus safety and other concerns they have, WTXL reports.

Mental health services: Six Florida school districts failed to meet the state’s deadline for training employees on mental health awareness and assistance, WTSP reports.

Lunch lines: Volusia County elementary school students are helping the district decide what type of pizza to offer in cafeterias, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports.

High school graduation: Thousands of Palm Beach County high school seniors are at risk of falling short of Florida’s graduation requirements, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Charter schools: Newberry officials reviewed a proposed budget attached to a plan for converting three schools in the city to charter status, WCJB reports. No decisions have been reached on the idea.

Artificial intelligence: Brevard County schools have blocked use of artificial intelligence programs in schools as officials craft rules for the technology. That isn’t stopping some students from using it, Florida Today reports.

From the court docket ... A University of Florida professor and two Florida International University doctoral students have sued the state over its law that aims to “protect American interests from foreign threats.” They contend the statute is discriminatory and it ignores federal immigration law.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... OK, Star Wars fans. Which version of the cantina band song works for you?