Gov. DeSantis expected to approve Florida bill banning TikTok in K-12 public schools

Wear News | By Kai Davis | May 3, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bill banning access to TikTok in Florida public schools has been sent to Governor Ron DeSantis Wednesday, after the Florida House voted unanimously in favor of the legislation.

HB 379 prohibits the use of TikTok on school district-owned devices. The bill also bans the use of the platform to communicate or promote any district school, school-sponsored club, extracurricular organization, or athletic team.

Last month, the Florida Senate voted unanimously in favor of the legislation, where it was then sent to the Florida House.

In addition to banning TikTok, the bill also prohibits the use of wireless communications devices, such as cellphones, during instructional time. The exception to this new rule is if the teacher or instructor approves the use of the device for educational purposes.

If caught in violation of the rule, teachers and instructors now have the authority to withhold the student’s device.

Students may still possess their devices while on school property or while in attendance of a school function under the new rule.

Governor DeSantis is expected to sign off on the bill soon, as he has vocally called out TikTok in regards to security concerns.

If passed, the bill will take effect on July 1.