NEWS MORNINGS TRYING TO KEEP FLORIDA CHILDREN OFF SOCIAL MEDIA OVER CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO SEXUAL PREDATORS, WE EXPLORED THE NEW PROPOSED SOCIAL MEDIA LEGISLATION. LET’S GO ON THE RECORD FROM WPBF 25. THIS IS ON THE RECORD WITH TODD MCDERMOTT AND NATHALIE POZO. GOOD MORNING. EARLIER THIS MONTH, FLORIDA LAWMAKERS IN TALLAHASSEE CLOSED OUT THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BY PASSING A SECOND VERSION OF A BAN ON MINORS USING SOCIAL MEDIA. THE FINAL LEGISLATION KEEPS CHILDREN UNDER AGE 13 OFF POSSIBLY THE MOST POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND REQUIRES PARENTAL CONSENT FOR 15 AND 14 YEAR OLDS. STATE LAWMAKERS FIRST VERSION OF THAT BAN FOR ANYONE UNDER 16 WAS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO QUESTIONED WHETHER IT COULD WITHSTAND A CHALLENGE LEGALLY ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS. A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LEGISLATORS BELIEVES KEEPING KIDS OFF SOCIAL MEDIA WILL HELP PROTECT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND KEEP ONLINE PREDATORS AWAY FROM CHILDREN. STATE SENATOR ERIN GRALL OF VERO BEACH, SPONSORED THAT BILL. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, AND WE CAN’T STAND BY ANY LONGER AND ALLOW THEM THESE COMPANIES, TO OWN OUR CHILDREN WITH THIS TERRIBLE CONTENT. THIS IS A WELL INTENTIONED BILL, BUT WE CANNOT TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO BE PARENTS. AND JOINING ME NOW TO GO ON THE RECORD THIS MORNING ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA, MENTAL HEALTH IS PSYCHOLOGIST, DOCTOR TERRY LILES. DOCTOR, THANKS FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS THIS, AS MANY PEOPLE EXPECT HIM TO, BECAUSE IT WAS REVISED AFTER HIS ORIGINAL VETO. WHAT CAN THE IMPACT BE ON MENTAL HEALTH? I MEAN, WE TALK ABOUT CYBERBULLYING. WE’VE TALKED ABOUT SEXUAL PREDATORS, BODY IMAGE ALL AFFECTED BY SOCIAL MEDIA. WHAT KIND OF POSITIVE IMPACT CAN THERE BE? WELL, I THINK THE POSITIVE SIDE IS, YOU KNOW, REGULATING THE INTERNET FOR ALL OF US IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I MEAN, WHETHER YOU’RE DRIVING IN A CAR, IT’S SCARY JUST TO LOOK NEXT DOOR TO YOU, YOU KNOW, IN A CAR AT A STOPLIGHT, YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE ARE LOOKING DOWN, WHICH WE KNOW THEY’RE WATCHING THEIR PHONES. YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, THEIR IMAGE AND MENTAL HEALTH IMAGES COMES FROM WHAT THEY SEE ONLINE ABOUT THEMSELVES OR ABOUT OTHERS. SO IT’S AN ONGOING PROCESS. I THINK THE CHALLENGE WITH THIS IS HOW DO YOU REGULATE AND LEGISLATE MORALITY, IF YOU WILL, LIKE WHAT’S BEST FOR MY CHILD? AND IT COMES BACK TO PARENTING, AND I THINK THAT’S WHERE IT ALWAYS GOES BACK TO, IS THE PARENTING STYLE AND THE REGULATION THAT THE PARENT NEEDS TO PUT ON THEIR YOUNG STUDENTS AND PERSONS IN THEIR HOMES TO SAY, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING? HOW LONG ARE YOU ON THERE? AND AS WE SAY AT MY HOUSE, THROW YOUR PHONE IN THE BOX. IT’S DONE. OKAY, WELL, THAT’S A GOOD POINT. AND I WANTED TO MENTION SOMETHING SPECIFIC IN THIS LEGISLATION IS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS THAT HAVE ADDICTIVE FEATURES. THEY’RE NOT SAYING WHICH PLATFORMS CORRECT THAT THEY WILL DO THIS FOR, BUT THEY TALK ABOUT ADDICTIVE FEATURES AND THAT IS IS TRULY AN ISSUE FOR REALLY FOR ALL OF US, ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS. YES, MOSTLY THE GAMES NOW THAT ARE USED AND THEY HAVE PLATFORMS BUILT IN TO GET EXTRA POINTS BY JUST STAY CLICKING AND YOU JUST CLICK, CLICK, CLICK. IT’S KEEPING YOU ACTIVE. SO WHAT THEY’RE DOING IS THEY’RE PROCESSING AND WATCHING YOUR ACTIVITY. AND YOU CAN EVEN SET UP THINGS NOW IN THOSE GAMES WHERE YOU CAN KEEP CLICKING AND DROP YOUR PHONE TO YOUR IPAD AND IT KEEPS PLAYING. BUT WHAT IT’S DOING IS IT’S MONETIZING THAT FOR THEIR PLATFORM. UM, SO THERE’S A LOT OF PSYCHOLOGY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING FROM THE BUSINESS SIDE ON THE BACK END. BUT WHAT IT DOES TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IS IT’S TRAINING THEM TO JUST STAY FOCUSED. WE’VE CREATED A TECHNOLOGICAL ADD, AN ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER BECAUSE WE’RE SO LOCKED IN. IF WE’RE NOT DIALED INTO THAT FACTOR, WHATEVER THAT IS, A PAD, A PHONE, THEY BECOME DISTRACTIBLE VERY SIMPLY AND VERY QUICKLY, WHICH IS REALLY ALARMING. AND THESE ALGORITHMS REALLY DO PINPOINT WHAT CAN KEEP PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN IN THIS CASE CLICKING. AND THEY ADAPT. AND AS A PSYCHOLOGIST, DOES THAT FRIGHTEN YOU? ABSOLUTELY. AND AS A PARENT. ABSOLUTELY. BOTH. YES. BECAUSE ANYTIME YOU’RE DIALED IN AND FOCUSED THAT MUCH AND THAT LONG AND I MEAN, I THINK THE AVERAGE YOUNG PERSON NOW IS SPENDING 6 TO 8 HOURS ONLINE, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THEY’RE DOING, WHAT THEY AND YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THAT’S A WORK DAY. AND IT MAY BE 20 MINUTES HERE, A HALF AN HOUR THERE. BUT, YOU KNOW, IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU KNOW, YOU WATCH YOUNG PEOPLE WALKING BACK HOME FROM THE BUS AND SCHOOL AND THEY’RE ALL LOOKING DOWN, RIGHT. YOU KNOW, WHICH IS ALSO ANOTHER SCARY THING BECAUSE PSYCHOLOGICALLY, PHYSIOLOGICALLY, PUTTING YOUR HEAD FROM THIS POSITION TO THIS POSITION CREATES A DEPRESSIVE MENTALITY AND PHYSIOLOGY, BECAUSE DEPRESSED PEOPLE DON’T WALK AROUND LIKE THIS, RIGHT? THEY WALK AROUND LIKE THIS. SO WE’VE CREATED THIS, THIS MANTRA BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY THAT’S DOING A LOT OF THINGS THAT IN THE TECHNO STRESS STUDY WORLD THAT WE’RE ALL LOOKING AT NOW, WE DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT IT’S DOING, BUT WE’RE STARTING TO SEE THE EFFECTS OF THIS. AFTER ALMOST A DECADE OF THIS. IF WE SEE THIS A BAN BECOME THE LAW IN FLORIDA, WHICH PEOPLE, WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN, MIGHT BE IMPACTED THE MOST BY BY THE BAN ON THIS, EITHER POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY. I THINK THE POSITIVE SIDE, IT WAS IT WILL POTENTIALLY PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITIES TO PAY ATTENTION. AND I’M SURE THAT’S PROBABLY WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO FOCUS ON. I MEAN, HE HAS YOUNG CHILDREN HIMSELF. IF YOU CAN’T BAN SOMETHING THAT IS IS REGULATED IN A HOME, BUT YOU CAN INFLUENCE THAT BY BY REGULATION AND LEGISLATION LIKE THIS. I THINK THAT’S A POSITIVE SIDE. I THINK THE NEGATIVE SIDE IS IT MAY NOT WORK BECAUSE PARENTS ARE GOING TO KEEP DOING WHAT THEY DO. I MEAN, IF YOU HAVE TWO PARENTS THAT ARE WORKING, THEY’RE BUSY AND WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. I MEAN, WHAT SCARES ME THE MOST ARE THE YOUNGEST OF CHILDREN. THEY THEY GET THEIR PARENTS PHONE. THEY IT’S A BABYSITTER. BUT WHAT ARE THEY WHAT ARE THEY BEING TOLD? WHAT ARE THEY SEEING? THE IMAGERY THAT THEY’RE SEEING, THE MESSAGING THAT’S THERE AND THE CORPORATE WORLD THAT’S INVOLVED IN THESE SOCIAL NETWORKING, GAMING SITES ARE MAKING MORE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE OF ADVERTISING SPACE, BECAUSE OF THESE CLICKS AND BECAUSE OF THESE VIEWS AND THE TIKTOKS OF THE WORLD. WELL, LET ME LET ME ADDRESS THAT AND GO BEYOND A BAN ON YOUNGER CHILDREN ON MINORS, SOCIAL MEDIA IN GENERAL, THE ADDICTIVE NATURE. HOW CAN ANYONE OUT THERE PROTECT THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL MEDIA USE? WHAT SHOULD WE BE LOOKING FOR AND HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES AT ANY AGE, ESPECIALLY AS WE GET OLDER? IT’S YOU KNOW WHAT? JUST REGULATE IT LIKE I HAVE NO ALERTS ON MY PHONE. I DON’T KNOW WHEN I GET AN EMAIL, I DON’T KNOW WHEN I GET A TEXT. YOU’RE A BRAVE MAN. I DON’T KNOW WHEN SOCIAL MEDIA HITS ME. YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE I’LL GO THERE AND LOOK WHEN I HAVE THE TIME. I’M IN CONTROL OF MY DEVICES. I DON’T WANT TO BE CONTROLLED BY THEM. SO I THINK THE FIRST STEP IS REALIZING THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE CONTROL OVER OUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH, OVER OUR OWN PSYCHOLOGY, OVER OUR OWN PHYSIOLOGY. FOR ME, IT’S LIKE GOING TO THE GYM OR DRINKING ENOUGH WATER DURING THE DAY OR EATING A HEALTHY MEAL. WHO’S GOING TO REGULATE THAT IF WE DON’T? I HAVE ONE OTHER QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU, AND THAT IS IS THERE A POSITIVE WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL MEDIA USE? I MEAN, IT DOES GET A LOT OF NEGATIVE REVIEW. YES. THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT. BUT ARE THERE POSITIVES? ABSOLUTE? I MEAN, I LOVE I’D LOVE THE WHOLE INTERNET PIECE. I MEAN, I HAVEN’T USED A RAND MCNALLY NAP IN A LONG TIME. YOU KNOW, AND I NAVIGATE EVERY DAY. YOU JUST POP IT IN. I DON’T HAVE TO THINK YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SEARCH ANYTHING. YOU CAN JUST SPEAK INTO YOUR PHONE. HEY, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? LISTEN, THE MAYAN INDIANS WERE DOING THIS IN 1500 BC. I MEAN, THEY LOOKED UP TO THE SKY AND STUDYING THE STARS, AND THEY CALLED THE STARS AND CONSTELLATION A WEB OF CONNECTION. AND W W W WORLD WIDE WEB. THIS. AND THERE’S NOTHING NEW HERE. NO, NO IPHONES FOR THE MAYANS EITHER. YEAH. NO, BUT WE PROBABLY GOT IT FROM THEM, YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING? SO YEAH, THERE’S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS THAT COME OUT OF TECHNOLOGY IS GOOD AND BAD. LIKE ANYTHING HEALTH CAN BE GOOD OR BAD. STRESS CAN BE GOOD OR BAD. YOU KNOW, YOU CAN OD ON WATER. YOU KNOW, IT’S ALL ABOUT REGULATION. SO UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE TO REGULATE OUR MIND BODY HEALTH AND HOW MUCH EXPOSURE WE TAKE IN AND WE PUSH OUT AND THEN MONITOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND OUR SPOUSES AND OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE SAME WAY. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO STOP TECHNOLOGY. WE’RE WAY PAST THAT PART, SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL LOVE IT AND HATE IT ALL TOGETHER. JUST REGULATE IT. ALL RIGHT. DOCTOR TERRY LAWS, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. YOU’RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHT. YES, SIR. THANK YOU. WELL, COMING UP, MY CO-ANCHOR, NATHALIE POZO WILL LOOK IN DEPTH AT THE PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS IN FLORIDA IN THAT SOCIAL MEDIA BILL. SANDRA KNOWS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE PREPARED FOR NOT ONLY GETTING UP IN THE MORNING, BUT ALSO THE STEPS WE TAKE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR FUTURE TRACK HOUR BY HOUR. WHETHER YOU’RE IN BOCA RATON OR YOU’RE IN FORT PIERCE, THINGS CAN CHANGE FAST. AND THAT’S WHY SHE’S LOOKING AHEAD. SHE’S GOING TO LET US KNOW WHAT OUR COMMUTE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, NOT ONLY IN THE MORNING, BUT ALSO IN THE EVENING. THAT’S WHY WE TRUST SANDRA. FOR 11 YEARS, SHE’S MADE SURE THAT THE CERTIFIED MOST ACCURATE FORECAST THAT SHE GIVES IS PERFECT AND IS READY FOR YOU TO PLAN YOUR DAY. WHEN CHOOSING BETWEEN STYLE, COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE, WE CHOSE ALL OF THE ABOVE. HOW WE GET THERE MATTER HOURS. GET EXCEPTIONAL OFFERS AT YOUR LOCAL AUDI DEALER IN FLORIDA. HURRICANE CARS ARE A PART OF LIFE. THAT’S WHY OVER 100,000 FLORIDIANS HAVE MADE STORM SMART A PART OF THEIRS. OUR CATEGORY FIVE STORM CATCHER SCREENS, SHUTTERS AND HIGH IMPACT WINDOWS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM HURRICANE WINDS, RAIN AND AIRBORNE DEBRIS. IN FACT, STORM SMART CAN PROTECT EVERY OPENING IN YOUR HOME. IF YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA, EXTREME WEATHER IS A PART OF LIFE, BUT FOR YEAR ROUND STORM PROTECTION, YOU CAN COUNT ON STORM SMART. CALL 866 60 SMART TODAY FOR YOUR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION. WHEN A ROOKIE STUNT DRIVER MEETS THE TRAINER WHO THOUGHT HE’D SEEN IT ALL AGAIN, THERE’S BOUND TO BE ACTION. BUT THIS IS NO ORDINARY BLOCKBUSTER. IT’S A NISSAN SALES EVENT AD, SO YOU BETTER ACT FAST. DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO DRIVE AWAY IN A NEW NISSAN. LET’S ROLL. HURRY INTO THE NISSAN THRILL OF THE DRIVE SALES EVENT. GET A LOW 272 PER MONTH LEASE ON ALTIMA OR GET 0% FINANCING FOR 36 MONTHS ON SELECT 2023 AND 2024 VEHICLE TRIMS. YOU’RE NEXT. GUARD PLUS HELPS YOU PROTECT YOUR DOG FROM FLEAS, TICKS, HEARTWORM DISEASE, AND MORE, ALL IN ONE DELICIOUS MONTHLY SOFT SHOE. USE WITH CAUTION AND DOGS WITH A HISTORY OF SEIZURES OR NEUROLOGIC DISORDERS. NEXGARD PLUS THE ONE YOU WANT FOR ONE AND DONE PROTECTION. ROUGH START TO YOUR DAY. TRY NEW DIAL EXFOLIATING BODY WASH WITH A TOUCH OF CREAMY COCOA BUTTER AND ORANGE EXTRACT REVEALS SOFT AND HEALTHY FEELING SKIN AFTER JUST ONE SHOWER, DIAL UP YOUR DAY. EXPECTATIONS ARE IMPORTANT. IT’S WHY WE RAISED YOURS. HOW WE GET THERE MATTERS. GET EXCEPTIONAL OFFERS AT YOUR LOCAL AUDI DEALER. YOU’RE WATCHING ON THE RECORD ON WPBF 25. THIS MORNING WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA HERE IN FLORIDA. HOUSE BILL THREE WOULD NOT ALLOW CHILDREN 13 AND YOUNGER TO OPEN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS. 14 AND 15 YEAR OLDS WOULD BE ABLE TO, BUT WITH PERMISSION FROM THEIR PARENTS. JOINING ME NOW IS SENATOR TINA POLSKY, WHO COVERS DITCHED 30, WHICH MAKES UP PARTS OF BROWARD AND SOUTHERN PALM BEACH COUNTY. SENATOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS MORNING. LET’S DIVE RIGHT IN. FIRST, I WANT TO ASK YOU HOW DID THIS BILL COME ABOUT? HI. GOOD MORNING. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. SO IT’S KIND OF AN INTERESTING STORY BECAUSE THE BILL STARTED AS HOUSE BILL ONE HB ONE, WHICH MEANS IT WAS A TOP PRIORITY OF THE SPEAKER. AND HE DID HB ONE AND HB THREE. HB THREE WAS ORIGINALLY JUST FOR, UM, ADULT CONTENT WEBSITES THAT YOU NEEDED AGE VERIFICATION, AND HB ONE WAS THE ORIGINAL SOCIAL MEDIA BAN BILL THAT REQUIRED, UM, ACTUALLY JUST BANNED SOCIAL MEDIA UP UNTIL 16, DIDN’T ALLOW FOR PARENTAL CONSENT. SO THAT BILL MOVED THROUGH THE HOUSE. THE SENATE DIDN’T TAKE IT UP RIGHT AWAY. AND THEN, UM, YOU KNOW, THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE, BECAUSE IT IS A PRIORITY OF THE SPEAKER. THEY AGREED, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY WOULD HEAR IT. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, GOVERNOR DESANTIS WAS MAKING IT KNOWN THAT HE DIDN’T NECESSARILY AGREE THAT THE ORIGINAL HB ONE WAS CONSTITUTIONAL BILL. SO THERE WAS A LOT OF NEGOTIATING THAT WENT ON. THEY DID SEND HIM THE BILL. HB ONE, BECAUSE IT PASSED THROUGH BOTH HOUSES, AND THE ONLY WAY HE COULD DEAL WITH IT WOULD BE TO VETO IT. BUT THEY CAME BACK AND CHANGED UP. HB THREE TO INCLUDE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING WITH THE CHANGE THAT YOU NOTED WITH PARENTAL CONSENT FOR 14 AND 15 YEAR OLDS AND THAT’S HOW IT CAME TO BE. SO THIS VERSION SET THE SENATE VOTED 30 TO 5 TO APPROVE YOU VOTED NO ON IT AND SAID IT’S NOT UP TO THE GOVERNMENT TO TELL PARENTS WHEN THEIR KIDS SHOULD BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. THAT’S TRUE. UM, I WAS, YOU KNOW, PRETTY LOUD AGAINST THE ORIGINAL VERSION. AND WHILE THE SECOND VERSION IS DEFINITELY BETTER IN THAT 14 AND 15 YEAR OLDS CAN IN USE THOSE SITES, I STILL THINK IT’S AN ARBITRARY TIME TO SAY, YOU KNOW, ONLY 14 IF YOU HAVE PARENTAL CONSENT. UM, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULD. THE PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT DECISION FOR THEMSELVES. IN THE ORIGINAL BILL, I HAD HAD AN AMENDMENT TO ALLOW AN EXCEPTION FOR THOSE WHO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO FURTHER THEIR CAREER, WHETHER IT BE A JOB, IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS DOG WALKING, OR IT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, A REAL JOB. THERE ARE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WORK IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND PROMOTE BUSINESSES OF THEIR OWN. THINK ABOUT SPORTS, RECRUITING AND THEATER AUDITIONS AND ALL THOSE THINGS. A LOT OF IT HAPPENS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. SO TO HAVE A BLANKET BAN TO ME DIDN’T MAKE ANY SENSE. UM, AND THEN I THOUGHT WHILE THE COMPROMISE WAS BETTER, I STILL THOUGHT IT WAS ARBITRARY. AND IT’S NOT THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO TELL ME AS A PARENT, IF MY CHILDREN CAN USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SENATOR, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT, BECAUSE FEDERAL COURTS HAVE BLOCKED ENFORCEMENT OF SIMILAR LAWS LIKE THIS IN OHIO. AND ARKANSAS. DO YOU THINK THAT FLORIDA IS NEXT IN THAT LEGAL BATTLE? I AM SURE THAT THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY THE THE, UM, SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES. AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY’LL WAIT UNTIL ONE OF THEM GETS SUED OR, OR FINED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHICH IS WHAT THE BILL PROVIDES. UM, OR THEY’LL JUST DO IT RIGHT AWAY. UM, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE RESTRICTING THE USE OF PEOPLE’S SPEECH BY THE GOVERNMENT TELLING THESE, THESE, UM, THESE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES THAT WHO THEIR CUSTOMERS CAN AND CAN’T BE, UM, YOU KNOW, IT’S A TOUGH LEGAL ARGUMENT. YOU COULD KIND OF TALK ABOUT IT ON BOTH SIDES. IT’S NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY. UM, IT’S NOT GOVERNMENT QUASHING THE SPEECH. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT’S GOVERNMENT TELLING THESE BUSINESSES WHAT TO DO AND WHAT THOSE BUSINESSES DO IS SPEECH. SO IT’S AN INTERESTING LEGAL ARGUMENT. AND HAVING, UM, LAWS THAT ALL THOSE CASES SO FAR ARE, YOU KNOW, STATE GOVERNMENTS ARE NOT IN A GREAT POSITION TO KEEP PUSHING THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION. SO I THINK IT’S AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR THE STATE TO WIN THESE KIND OF SUITS. BUT IT’LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. AND I’M QUITE SURE THAT THERE WILL BE LITIGATION SOON, SENATOR. SO IF THIS MOVES FORWARD, CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW HOW THIS WILL WORK? I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE WONDERED HOW IS THIS GOING TO BE ENFORCED, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KNOW IF A IF SOMEONE UNDER THE AGE OF 13 IS THE PERSON BEHIND THAT ACCOUNT? YEAH. I MEAN, THIS IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE WITH A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS PASSED. IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE. AND, UM, THERE’S A LOT OF WAYS AROUND IT. I MEAN, A PARENT CAN CREATE AN ACCOUNT AND SAY IT’S THEIRS. AND THEN THE KID COULD USE IT AT ANY AGE. UM, THE PARENTS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE. IF, YOU KNOW, IF THERE’S A PROBLEM, IT’S AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, IT’S THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY THAT ARE THE ONES ON THE LINE. UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE KEPT ASKING IN QUESTIONS ON THIS BILL. WELL, HOW DO YOU VERIFY THE AGE? WELL, THERE’S KIND OF THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE. NOBODY COULD EXPLAIN EXACTLY HOW IT’S GOING TO WORK. AND THAT GOES THE SAME FOR ADULT WEBSITES THAT ARE GOING TO REQUIRE AGE VERIFICATION. SO, UM, NO ONE REALLY KNOWS EXACTLY HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK. IS IT GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE? I’VE I THINK THERE’S LOTS OF WAYS AROUND IT. AND SO IT’S ONE OF THOSE STATEMENT BILLS REALLY THAT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING RATHER THAN SOMETHING THAT WILL TRULY PROTECT CHILDREN. I GUESS WE’LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. SENATOR TINA POLSKY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. YOU’RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. COMING UP NEXT, MY CO-ANCHOR TODD MCDERMOTT TALKS TO A TEENAGER TO GET THEIR POINT OF VIEW. DURING THE ROOMS TWO TO GO ANNIVERSARY SALE. SAVE ON THIS RECLINING LEATHER SOFA AND STATIONARY LOVE SEAT IN YOUR CHOICE OF COLOR ON SALE JUST 14.95 OR $25 A MONTH. INTEREST FREE PLUS, GET THIS BONUS 50% OFF THE MATCHING LEATHER RECLINER. NOW AT ROOMS TO GO WPBF 25 FIRST WARNING WEATHER CERTIFIED, MOST ACCURATE FOR 11 YEARS. UM PLANET. OH, IT’S SO CREAMY AND NOT WATERY LIKE EXACTLY. AND UNSWEETENED. HAS ZERO GRAMS OF SUGAR AND DON’T FORGET IT’S AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF CALCIUM. WOW, PLANET OAT REALLY HAS IT ALL. YOU GUYS ARE SO RIGHT. NO YOU ARE. NO, YOU ARE. AH, YEAH, YOU ARE. WHEN A ROOKIE STUNT DRIVER MEETS THE TRAINER WHO THOUGHT HE’D SEEN IT ALL AGAIN, THERE’S BOUND TO BE ACTION. BUT THIS IS NO ORDINARY BLOCKBUSTER. IT’S A NISSAN SALES EVENT. DAD, SO YOU BETTER ACT FAST. DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO DRIVE AWAY IN A NEW NISSAN. LET’S ROLL. HURRY INTO THE NISSAN. THRILL OF THE DRIVE SALES EVENT. GET A LOW 2.73 PER MONTH LEASE OR GET 1.99% APR FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS ON THE 2023 NISSAN ROGUE. I’M JILL HAZU AND I’M AARON BURNS. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR TOTAL RETIREMENT WITH ERNIE BURNS. WHERE WE’LL DISCUSS WEALTH MANAGEMENT AS STATE PLANNING AND MORE. ERNIE WAS NAMED 2022 FORBES BEST IN STATE SECURITY PROFESSIONAL. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT. THERE ARE A FEW PLACES WHERE YOU KNOW YOU’LL HEAR THE TRUTH AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM. WITH HEALTH, SUN HEALTH PLANS. LIFE IS A PIECE OF CAKE WITH ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE PROVIDERS THAT TAKE CARE OF ALL MY MEDICAL NEEDS AND ALL UNDER THE SAME ROOF. IT’S LIKE A MEDICARE MAKEOVER WITH HEALTH SUN. EVERY YEAR YOU CAN RECEIVE $1,978 BACK IN YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK, $600 FOR OTC ITEMS, AND MUCH MORE. TAKE IT FROM ME. I’M MISTER SUNSHINE. CALL US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BENEFITS. SCHWARZKOPF. DARE TO TELL YOUR STORY WITH KERATIN BLOND BY SCHWARZKOPF. LIGHTEN YOUR HAIR UP TO NINE LEVELS AND PROTECT IT FROM BREAKAGE. WITH OUR BOND ENFORCING SYSTEM. LET YOUR HAIR TELL YOUR STORY. SCHWARZKOPF KERATIN BLOND. WHAT STORY WILL YOU TELL? IT’S THE ROOMSTER TO GO ANNIVERSARY SALE. SAVE ON THIS FIVE PIECE COUNTER HEIGHT DINING SET WITH FOUR UPHOLSTERED CHAIRS JUST 9.8, 8 OR $17 A MONTH. INTEREST FREE. NEED MORE CHAIRS? GET THIS BONUS BY AN EXTRA MATCHING CHAIR. GET ONE FREE NOW AT ROOMS TO GO. JOINING ME NOW TO GIVE US A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE IS DIANA GORDON, AN 11TH GRADER AT SEMINOLE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING YOUR OPINIONS TO THIS. I HAVE TO START WITH WHAT YOU THINK OF REGULATING SOCIAL MEDIA. USE BY LAW FOR TEENAGERS LIKE YOURSELF OR YOUNGER THAN YOU. I THINK IT’S A LITTLE WEIRD, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S LIKE AGE RESTRICTIONS, LIKE CERTAIN DECISIONS THAT SHOULD BE LEFT UP TO LIKE THE PARENTS. I THINK IT’S TAKING AWAY CERTAIN RIGHTS THAT THAT PARENTS SHOULD HAVE OVER THEIR KIDS. NOW TELL ME ABOUT YOUR OWN SITUATION. DO YOU CAN YOU RECALL WHEN YOU STARTED USING SOCIAL MEDIA OR HAD AN ACCOUNT? UM, MY MOM WASN’T TOO FOND OF IT FOR WHEN I WAS YOUNGER. SHE WAS MUCH YOUNGER. UM, LIKE A FEW YEARS AGO. SHE’S STILL NOT VERY. I DON’T HAVE, LIKE, I DON’T POST OR ANYTHING, BUT, UM. YEAH, I WASN’T ALLOWED TO HAVE IT OR ANYTHING, SO. AND NOW NOW, NOW I JUST CAN I CAN USE IT. I JUST CAN’T POST OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. GOTCHA. UM, I HAVE TO ASK YOU, AS THE FATHER OF TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS, YOUNGER THAN YOU, IS THERE PRESSURE TO POST AND REALLY PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL MEDIA AT YOUR AGE? I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE ENVIRONMENT THAT YOU’RE IN. I THINK A LOT OF GIRLS, MY AGE ARE VERY LIKE, THEY FEEL THE PRESSURE TO BE VERY OPEN WITH THEIR LIVES AND POST EVERYTHING AND SHOW CERTAIN THINGS. BUT I DON’T REALLY FEEL ANY PRESSURE REALLY. YOU DON’T FEEL THE PRESSURE, BUT I DIDN’T GROW UP LIKE THAT EITHER. LIKE DEPENDENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA EITHER. SURE. AND THAT’S AN INTERESTING PART OF THIS IS DEPENDANCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA. DO YOU KNOW OF YOUNG WOMEN YOUR AGE WHO KIND OF NEED THAT SOCIAL MEDIA INTERACTION? YEAH, A LOT OF ESPECIALLY LIKE WITH THEIR UPBRINGING, LIKE THEY KIND OF SEEK VALIDATION FROM SOCIAL MEDIA. IT’S VERY EASY. AND THAT’S IT’S INTERESTING THAT SOMEBODY. HOW OLD ARE YOU? 17. SO YOU WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THIS. YOU WOULD HAVE FREE TO HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT. BUT BUT CAN YOU SEE A NEED FOR REGULATION? AS YOU SAID AT THE BEGINNING, MAYBE SEEMS A LITTLE WEIRD TO HAVE IT BE BY LAW AND IT SHOULD BE A PARENTAL, UH, OPPORTUNITY. AND RESPONSIBILITY. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, CAN YOU SEE A NEED? I, I SEE A NEED JUST FOR A DIFFERENT REASON. LIKE, I WOULD SEE A NEED FOR, LIKE, REGULAR EATING, LIKE BABIES OR JUST MONITORING THE PEOPLE THAT RESPOND LIKE, THERE’S SOME REALLY WEIRD PEOPLE OUT THERE. AND I FEEL LIKE IT’S FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THING. LIKE INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THE PEOPLE THAT DO BAD STUFF, YOU’RE FOCUSING ON THE KIDS THAT JUST ARE ON THE APP, MINDING THEIR BUSINESS. NOW I’M JUST TO GET A PERSPECTIVE FROM A TEENAGER IS UNUSUAL. ESPECIALLY THIS ADDRESSES KIDS ARE JUST A LITTLE YOUNGER THAN YOU. UM, IN GENERAL, DO YOU THINK THAT SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A POSITIVE OR CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN TERMS OF YOUR INTERACTIONS? US IN GENERAL AMONG TEENAGERS CAN IT HAVE A POSITIVE INTERACTION? YEAH, OF COURSE I FEEL LIKE JUST IN GENERAL IT IS POSITIVE. THERE’S DEFINITELY A BAD SIDE. BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT’S A GOOD THING I DON’T GET THE VIBE FROM YOU THAT YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON ANYTHING BY NOT POSTING. NO, I DON’T, I’M REALLY NOT. DOES THAT PUT YOU IN THE MINORITY THOUGH, AMONG YOUR FRIENDS? NO, NO, I DON’T THINK THEY REALLY CARE. LIKE IT. IT’S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL, I DON’T THINK. I MEAN, IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT, THERE CAN BE SOME SORT OF DISCONNECT. LIKE, I REMEMBER FEELING THAT WHEN I WASN’T ALLOWED TO HAVE IT AT ALL, BUT IT’S NOTHING LIKE DETRIMENTAL TO LIKE, HOW I LIVE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WELL, I HAVE TO TELL YOU, YOUR YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS VERY, VERY VALUABLE. I’M SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THEIR MINDS OPEN TO YOUR OWN ATTITUDE TOWARDS THIS AND MAYBE, MAYBE EVEN SOME YOUNG PEOPLE YOUR AGE, MAYBE. ALL RIGHT. MAYBE I KNOW GORDON, THANK YOU FOR GOING ON THE RECORD. THANK YOU ALL RIGHT. AND WE’LL BE RIGHT BACK ON THE RECORD. WE’LL CONTINUE. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE ADRENALINE RUSH. IT’S ABOUT TRANSFORMING LIVES. I GOT YOU GOT IT. I’M ON A MISSION TO HELP PEOPLE REDISCOVER THEMSELVES. FINDING ADVENTURE AND NEW SEASON STREAM FOR FREE ONLY ON VERY LOCAL WATCH. SANDRA SHAW ON WPBF 25 NEWS MORNINGS. COME ON, MICHAEL, COME ON, CATCH THE BALL. HUDDLE UP. DO YOU NEED TO GET YOUR EYES CHECKED? WELL, ACTUALLY, HERE’S THE PLAY. STANTON OPTICAL MAKES GLASSES IN 30 MINUTES. IT’S EASY ON THREE, ONE, TWO, THREE. EASY. HUT! OH, MY GOD, YOU GOT THIS. COME ON, COME ON. TURN! MICHAEL! CATCH! I CAN SEE YOU DID IT. I GOT IT! 30 MINUTE GLASSES. NOW, THAT’S AN EASY PLAY. STANTON OPTICAL EASY’S OUR THING. THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS IN THIS WORLD HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. AND CONSUMERS LIKE MYSELF WANT SOME LEVEL OF CONTROL. MY NAME IS AMY. I’VE BEEN WITH FPL OVER SIX YEARS. THERE ARE SO MANY INITIATIVES TO HELP US CONTINUE TO DELIVER CLEAN, RELIABLE AND SAFE ENERGY TO OUR CUSTOMERS. WE’VE TRANSITIONED FROM FOUR AND OIL TO NATURAL GAS, AND WE’RE MOVING RESPONSIBLY TOWARDS SOLAR BATTERY AND GREEN HYDROGEN. AND THIS WILL ALL ULTIMATELY BRING SAVINGS TO THE CUSTOMER. I KNOW THAT FPL IS LOOKING AT OTHER WAYS TO PRODUCE ENERGY THAT DOWN THE LINE WILL REDUCE MY BILL AND THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT. EVERY ONE IS SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT FIT TO BLEND COMMUNITY, A CAREER CENTERED FOCUS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHERE FRIENDSHIPS ARE FORMED AND STUDENTS ALWAYS COME FIRST. OUR REPUTATION WAS BUILT IN FLORIDA BY NOT FOR PROFIT UNIVERSITY WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF HISTORY, THOUSANDS OF GRADUATES ON CAMPUS AND ONLINE, AND NOW WITH A 100 ACRE RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS, THIS CAN BE YOUR RIGHT FIT. WE WE ARE KAISER UNIVERSITY. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE YARD OF YOUR DREAMS, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN MOON VALLEY NURSERIES, AMERICA’S LARGEST BOX TREE GROWER IS NOW OPEN IN RIVIERA BEACH. HERE YOU’LL FIND A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF MATURE TREES AND HEDGES. OUR COURTEOUS AND KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM WILL ASSIST YOU FROM PLANNING TO PLANTING. CREATE A YARD THAT ENSURES PRIVACY AND A PLACE YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE. BENEFIT FROM OUR STRESS FREE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR WEATHER PROTECTION PLANS FROM SMALL PROJECTS TO COMPLETE YARD TRANSFORMATIONS, WE’VE GOT WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR. COME SEE US TODAY! WOW, THIS IS GORGEOUS. BEAUTIFUL, ISN’T IT? I THINK I’M IN LOVE. YOU GOT THAT RIGHT. TALK ABOUT BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. TOUGH, DURABLE AND MAKES EVERY HEAD SPIN WHEN THEY SEE IT. THIS IS THE BEST FLOOR I’VE EVER SEEN. WHO DID THIS FOR YOU? OX FLOORS FAST AND AFFORDABLE. AND I COULD USE MY FLOORS THE SAME DAY. HEY, I BET THEY’LL GIVE YOU A DEAL TO CALL NOW TO GET 30% OFF. ALSO GREAT FOR PATIOS, POOL DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, AND MORE OX FLOORS. STRONG LIKE AN OX. GUARANTEED. WE APPRECIATE OUR GUESTS GIVING US TIME THIS MORNING AND THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON A TOPIC THAT REALLY HAS SO MANY LAYERS TO IT. AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING US A PART OF YOUR MORNING, AND WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO BE PART OF OUR DISCUSSION EACH AND EVERY SUNDAY. JOIN US RIGHT HERE AT 10 A.M. UNTIL WE SEE YOU AGAIN. YOU CAN WATCH THIS MORNING’S ON THE RECORD EPISODE, AND EVERY EPISODE ON OUR WEBSITE. WPBF DOT COM. YOU CAN ALSO FIND OUR PROGRAMS ON OUR FREE WPBF 25 NEWS APP. MATTER OF FACT WITH SOLEDAD O’BRIEN