As Florida moves to limit social media, here’s what the kids are saying

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are moving full speed ahead to push minors off social media. They’ve empowered schools to ban cellphones, remove books and limit history lessons, with more restrictions on the way.

One group of constituents is watching closely — the kids.

During a recent class discussion in River Ridge High School’s New Teacher Academy, students suggested the adult decision-makers have some misplaced priorities.

“They’re trying to make decisions that they think are best for us,” senior Aimee Haggerty said. “But they don’t actually see what goes on in our classrooms and what kinds of things we’re experiencing.”

The debate over social media and cellphones was a primary example.

First, the students argued, the problem is one that the adults created.

“I feel like they’ve kind of programmed us in these generations to be like, that’s our source of everyone’s information communication,” junior Kate Goldstein said. “And I don’t know, I feel like limiting that would be a whole new learning curve for all of us.”

It’s also one that might have some benefits, they acknowledged.

“I agree with some of the cellphone restrictions in school,” sophomore Brooke Bloomer said. “I think it has been beneficial for kids to not always be on their phone.” They might be more productive, she said.

But bans on these forms of technology come with a downside, the students argued.

Sophomore Brayden Kyle said he uses social media for interactions that help him in school and life.

“I just feel like it’s a way for me to connect with people like my friends and stuff,” Kyle said. “And like, I’m in this class with all these people, and they’re all older than me. But on social media I follow a lot of them and interact with a lot of them. And...