Florida Filed Injunction Against Meta Over Child Safety
The state seeks to disable addictive platform features and remove users under 14 years of age.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Internet
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a temporary injunction against Meta Platforms, Inc. in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The legal action aims to force the company to remove users under 14 and disable addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay.
Why it matters
The filing alleges that Meta intentionally designed its products to exploit the psychological vulnerabilities of children. By seeking this injunction, the state hopes to address what it characterizes as deceptive and unconscionable business practices regarding child safety.
The filing mandates the removal of engagement-driven features including infinite scrolling, public like counts, late-night notifications, and autoplay. It also requires Meta to implement stricter mechanisms to verify user ages.
The players
James Uthmeier
He is the Attorney General of Florida who initiated the legal challenge against Meta to enforce stricter child safety standards.
Meta Platforms, Inc.
This technology conglomerate owns major social media platforms and generated over $200 billion in revenue during 2025.
The details
The lawsuit alleges Meta engaged in deceptive and unconscionable behavior specifically targeting minors. This action follows a broader trend of legal scrutiny, as the company is currently facing a separate multidistrict lawsuit in California concerning similar platform design issues.
Timeline
2025: Meta generated more than $200 billion in total revenue.
Aug. 26, 2026: A total of 51 states and territories reached a settlement with Meta.
Oct. 7, 2026: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed the injunction in Pasco County.
The Tech Race
This move highlights a deepening divide between social media giants and state regulators who are pushing back against engagement-based software architectures. It continues a wave of legal challenges that follow the Aug. 26, 2026, multi-state settlement with Meta.
If the court grants the injunction, Florida users under 14 could see their access to specific Meta platforms revoked. Furthermore, all users in the state might notice significant changes to their user interface, specifically the removal of features like infinite scrolling and autoplay.
The takeaway
This case highlights the growing push by state regulators to limit how social media algorithms influence younger demographics. Residents should monitor potential account access changes as the legal process moves through the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Further reading
For more context on digital safety and regulation, visit the Internet section.
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