TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature and social media giants are clashing in a high-stakes battle over whether children should be barred from some of the most popular platforms on the web, a fight that could ultimately land in court.

Lawmakers want to stop children under 16 from creating accounts on social media sites like Facebook and TikTok, likening those apps to casino gambling, cigarette smoking and drinking.

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner cited mounting concerns that social media is hurting the mental health of young people. He accused social media companies of hooking children with addictive features in pursuit of profit.

“This is no different than opioids,” the Palm Coast Republican said. “This is no different than tobacco. It rings very, very similarly to me, where companies are knowingly putting forth a harmful product that is taking the lives of young people, and they are doing nothing to stop it. That’s why we’re going to act.”

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned in May that social media can pose a risk to children’s well-being. His advisory notes potential benefits of social media, such as fostering a sense of community, but also harms that span from cyberbullying to content that perpetuates body dissatisfaction.

But research isn’t settled on social media’s effect on children’s mental health. Experts say the issue is complex, involves a multitude of factors and can vary by person. The American Psychological Association concluded, “Using social media is not inherently beneficial or harmful to young people.”