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Florida Seeks To Outlaw Social Media For Teens

HB-1 Passes State Legislatures, Awaiting Final Votes and Governor Approval

Matt Marasco, Joey Tomassetti, Caroline Groffman, Haley Roth, Chase Zur, Reid Waxman, Lila Brodner, Ryan Chait, Stella Liberman, and Finley Strauss

February 28, 2024

Florida Seeks To Outlaw Social Media For Teens

Social media is a hot topic among teens in the Sunshine State.

First Amendment Under Fire As HB-1 Passes First Legislative Hurdle, Heads to State Senate

See Chase Zur’s Story Here

Social media is a hot topic among teens in the Sunshine State.

Many teens spend hours a day on social media, leading to heightened screen time and added stress.

A World Without Social Media: How Would That Impact Today’s Teens?

See Haley Roth’s Story Here

Many teens spend hours a day on social media, leading to heightened screen time and added stress. (The Morning News)

Spending time helping the environment (and getting community service hours), is a great alternative to screen time.

Embracing Life Without Social Media: Five Alternatives to Screen Time

See Matt Marasco’s Story Here

Spending time helping the environment (and getting community service hours), is a great alternative to screen time.

HB-1’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois, announces the social media ban in a press release in January.

Studies Show That Social Media Might Not Be the Culprit Behind Teens’ Deteriorating Mental Health

See Joey Tomassetti’s Story Here

HB-1’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Tyler Sirois, announces the social media ban in a press release in January. (WUSF)

Social Media could be used as a weapon, or used to connect with friends and others online. “Social media is good because you can connect with your friends on your phone, and taking away social media from kids under 16 is tough for them. They can’t even drive yet, so taking away another way for them to communicate hurts them,” sophomore Drew Sterling shared.

“Will HB-1 Hurt Kids Socially if Signed by the Governor?” An Obvious Yes.

See Reid Waxman’s Story Here

Social Media could be used as a weapon, or used to connect with friends and others online. “Social media is good because you can connect with your friends on your phone, and taking away social media from kids under 16 is tough for them. They can’t even drive yet, so taking away another way for them to communicate hurts them,” sophomore Drew Sterling shared. (Reid Waxman)

Gov. Ron Desantis discusses his viewpoints on social media and technology use.

Florida Joins Large Group of States Attempting to Ban Social Media

See Caroline Groffman’s Story Here

Gov. Ron Desantis discusses his viewpoints on social media and technology use. (Carl Juste/Miami Herald, via Associated Press)

From left to right: Jason Cintron (CEO of Discord), Evan Spiegel (CEO and Founder of Snapchat), Shou Zi Chew (CEO of TikTok), Linda Yaccarino (CEO of X), and Mark Zuckerberg (CEO, Chairman, and Founder of Meta) testify to the United States Congress regarding child safety on their social media platforms.

Many CEOs of Large Social Media Platforms Testified to the United States Senate in a Deposition on January 31st Regarding Child Safety on Social Media

See Ryan Chait’s Story Here

From left to right: Jason Cintron (CEO of Discord), Evan Spiegel (CEO and Founder of Snapchat), Shou Zi Chew (CEO of TikTok), Linda Yaccarino (CEO of X), and Mark Zuckerberg (CEO, Chairman, and Founder of Meta) testify to the United States Congress regarding child safety on their social media platforms. (AP)

Above is the Instagram account Mackenzie Bryan runs for her club volleyball account. Having this account gives her the exposure necessary to attract coaches attention.

New Florida Social Media Bill Poses A Significant Obstacle For The Recruitment Process

See Lila Brodner’s Story Here

Above is the Instagram account Mackenzie Bryan runs for her club volleyball account. Having this account gives her the exposure necessary to attract coaches’ attention.

House Speaker Paul Renner, proponent of HB1, gives 2024 legislative session opening remarks explaining how parental rights won’t be violated.

Differing Opinions: A Look At The Proponents and Opponents Of Florida House Bill One

See Finley Strauss’s Story Here

House Speaker Paul Renner, proponent of HB1, gives 2024 legislative session opening remarks explaining how parental rights won’t be violated.

See Stella Liberman’s Story Here

Social media should not be banned amongst teens because its benefits outweighs its issues. (THE Journal)

Young influencer holding her video camera, making content for her social media.

How Would Florida’s Social Media Ban Affect Young Influencers?

See Amanda Duguay’s Story Here

Young influencer holding her video camera, making content for her social media. (AdAge)

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About the Contributors

Matt Marasco, Editor-in-Chief

Matthew Marasco is an Editor-in-Chief of The Pharcyde. Starting on The Pharcyde as a sophomore, he has attended Benjamin since Kindergarten. He likes to fish and golf in his free time. As a senior at Benjamin, Matthew enjoys writing opinion pieces and about sports. He is an avid member of the veteran's appreciation club and enjoys doing community service at the Quantum House.

Joey Tomassetti, Editor-in-Chief

Joey is a senior and is an Edtior-in-Chief of The Pharcyde. He has been a part of the paper for three years. He is a member of three varsity sports teams: cross country, basketball, and track. He is also a member of the Veteran's Appreciation Club and the Sports Analytics Club. In his free time, Joey enjoys spending time with his family and friends, watching sports, and going to the beach.

Caroline Groffman, Associate Editor

Caroline Groffman is a sophomore at The Benjamin School. She is going into her second year on The Pharcyde and is excited to continue her writing. Caroline has been a part of The Benjamin School community since Kindergarten. She loves seeing family and friends, and going to the beach.

Haley Roth, Associate Editor

Haley Roth is a sophomore at The Benjamin School, and is a second-year staff writer for The Pharcyde. Haley has attended the Benjamin School since kindergarten. She enjoys going to the beach and spending time with friends. Haley enjoys writing for The Pharcyde as she gets to be more involved with the Benjamin community.

Chase Zur, Associate Editor

Chase Zur is a sophomore and this is her second semester in The Pharcyde. Chase has attended The Benjamin School since WOW and is excited to start her second year in the Upper School. She enjoys watching sports and spending time with friends and family. As a second year staff writer, Chase is looking forward to taking on more articles and improving her journalistic writing in The Pharcyde.

Reid Waxman, Sports Editor

Reid Waxman is a sophomore at Benjamin and is a staff writer for the Pharcyte. He has been attending this school since WOW and has experience from the Neercyde from middle school. Reid loves how The Pharcyde allows him to branch out on creative writing he looks to do.

Lila Brodner, Staff Writer

Lila is a sophomore at Benjamin High School. This is her second year on The Pharcyde as a staff writer and is excited to continue writing! She is on both the varsity volleyball and beach volleyball teams. Lila has been a part of the Benjamin community since WOW.

Ryan Chait, Breaking News Director

Ryan Chait is a freshman in his second semester at the Pharcyte. Ryan has been at Benjamin since 6th grade and was one of the editors for the Neercyde in middle school. He is a member of the boys varsity tennis team. He enjoys spending time with his friends, family and watching sports. Ryan is excited to continue writing for the Pharcyte.

Stella Liberman, Staff Writer

Finley Strauss, Staff Writer

Finley Strauss is a staff writer and editor of the Pharcyde. It is her first year at the Benjamin School. Finley is excited to start working on The Pharcyde, especially on opinion pieces. She is in the honor council, JSA, debate, and mock trial. In her free time she enjoys running, spending time with friends, and going to the beach. She plans to become an attorney.

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Florida Seeks To Outlaw Social Media For Teens

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