TALLAHASSEE — A 2024 Florida law aimed at keeping children off of social-media platforms came under scrutiny Friday, as lawyers for the state told a federal judge the measure is addressing a “mental-health crisis” and attorneys for industry groups argued the restrictions violate First Amendment rights.

Defending Florida’s social media ban for young people in a federal courtroom Friday, an attorney representing the state insisted the law does not infringe on constitutionally protected free speech but

The law, in part, seeks to prevent children under age 16 from opening social media accounts on certain platforms.

A U.S. district judge held a hearing on a request by social-media industry groups for a preliminary injunction against a new Florida law aimed at keeping children off social-mediaplatforms.