children's mental health

Gov. Ron DeSantis indicates it would be unhealthy to allow children to remain "wedded to a handful of social media apps.”

Depression and anxiety are leading causes of mental illness for teenagers. Youth MOVE, a group of Sarasota teens and young adults, is helping others cope with these issues.

The state’s process for involuntary psychiatric evaluations is getting a major overhaul under legislation that’s cleared the Legislature this year, with advocates saying its long overdue.

The measure would allow chaplains to act as counselors in K-12. Supporters say it would add a tool to help schools address students' mental health issues. The Florida Senate debated the bill Wednesday.

Florida lawmakers are gearing up to pass a new proposed ban on social media accounts for many children. Opponents say the proposal’s age-verification requirement is unconstitutional.

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have removed kids under 16 from having accounts regardless of parental approval. After a compromise with House Speaker Paul Renner, 14- and 15-year-olds can create accounts with consent.

The governor is expected to veto the bill, but a Senate procedural move would allow lawmakers to add a negotiated proposal to a related bill that had been in a Senate committee.

With a Friday deadline looming, Speaker Paul Renner said that he and Gov. Ron DeSantis are trying to work out difference on a bill aimed at keeping children under age 16 off social media platforms.

The governor has until March 1 to decide whether to sign the proposal, a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, who argues social media harms children’s mental health and can be used by sexual predators.

Supporters of the measure say allowing chaplains would add another tool to help schools address children’s mental health issues. The bill would need approval from the Senate.