Politics
Florida State Senator Danny Burgess Highlights Passage of Social Media Safety Legislation
Published
3 years agoon
Tallahassee, FL – Today, the Florida Legislature passed legislation, House Bill 379 relating to Student Use of Social Media Platforms. The bill establishes a social media safety curriculum in Florida schools to ensure children understand the risks of using social media. Florida State Senator Danny Burgess sponsored the legislation in the Florida Senate, Senate Bill 52.
“I believe this is the most important bill that I have had the opportunity to pass as a legislator and a father,” said Senator Burgess. “With social media and the unprecedented access that smartphones put in the palm of our hands, it is harder than ever before to be a parent.
“Kids are losing their innocence at a younger and younger age, in large part because of what they see just by looking at their phones, and I, like many others, am concerned about the detrimental impacts social media has had on a generation of children. This is a systemic problem that invades every home and school, but we can overcome it through the power of education. With this legislation, our schools and parents will be able to work together to provide children with the educational tools they need to help protect their mental health and avoid the pitfalls of social media.
“I want to thank Representative Brad Yeager for spearheading this legislation in the Florida House, Representative Ralph Massullo for his thoughtful additions to the bill, and all of my colleagues in the Legislature for their support of this important initiative for Florida’s children.”
Specifically, House Bill 379 will:
· Require the Florida Department of Education to develop a curriculum for social media safety and make all instructional materials from the course available online.
· Require district school boards to notify parents of the availability of social media safety instructional materials.
· Require social media safety material to include age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate instruction for students in grades 6-12, and focus on the social, emotional, and physical effects of social media.
· Require social media safety instruction to include:
o Risks of social media on mental health, including addiction, the distribution of misinformation, how social media manipulates behavior, and the permanency of sharing materials online.
o How to safely use social media, such as maintaining personal security and identifying cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and human trafficking, and how to report suspicious behavior encountered on the internet.
· Require schools to restrict student access to social media platforms on school-provided WiFi and devices.
· Prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time, except when used solely for educational purposes as directed by the student’s teacher.
· Require school districts to adopt an internet safety policy that addresses safe and secure access to the internet by students.
· Prohibit the use of TikTok on school-provided internet.
You may like
Politics
Vice President JD Vance to Visit Milwaukee, Discuss Trump Administration’s Anti-Fraud Efforts
Published
2 days agoon
July 6, 2026
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — Vice President JD Vance will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, where he is scheduled to deliver remarks on the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud, according to a White House press release.
Politics
Five Charged in Florida EBT Fraud Case; Two Illegal Aliens Among Defendants, Attorney General Says
Published
2 days agoon
July 6, 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — James Uthmeier announced today that five individuals have been charged in connection with an organized scheme to defraud Florida’s public assistance program by using stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information and personal identifying information (PII) to obtain taxpayer-funded benefits.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation was conducted by the Orlando Police Department and involves an alleged fraud operation that spanned Orange County and Seminole County.
“Florida is not going to tolerate organized schemes that steal taxpayer-funded benefits intended for Florida families,” Uthmeier said in a statement.
“We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to identify every individual connected to this scheme and hold them accountable.”
Investigation Details
Investigators allege the defendants used stolen personal identifying information and EBT card data belonging to numerous victims to purchase high-resale merchandise, including:
- Monster energy drinks
- Red Bull energy drinks
- Coffee
- Bottled water
- Other retail goods
Authorities allege the merchandise was later resold for cash, diverting taxpayer-funded nutritional assistance intended for eligible Florida families.
Defendants Charged
The five defendants are:
- Carlos Ruben Gomez Jimenez
- Maite Lazara Mesa Labrada
- Carlos Luis Diaz Jimenez
- Enrique Gonzalez
- Luis Gonzalez Dominguez
According to the Attorney General’s Office, immigration records indicate that Gomez Jimenez and Mesa Labrada entered the United States unlawfully in 2024.
Criminal Charges
All five defendants are charged with:
- Organized Scheme to Defraud (less than $20,000)
- Public Assistance Fraud ($200 or more but less than $20,000)
Additional charges include:
- Gomez Jimenez, Mesa Labrada and Diaz Jimenez are charged with Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information involving EBT accounts belonging to 10 or more individuals.
- Dominguez is charged with Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information.
- Diaz Jimenez and Enrique Gonzalez are also charged with Dealing in Stolen Property.
Potential Sentences
According to prosecutors:
- Carlos Luis Diaz Jimenez faces up to 40 years in prison.
- Carlos Ruben Gomez Jimenez, Maite Lazara Mesa Labrada and Enrique Gonzalez each face up to 25 years in prison.
- Luis Gonzalez Dominguez faces up to 15 years in prison.
Additionally, Gomez Jimenez, Mesa Labrada and Diaz Jimenez face mandatory minimum sentences of three years if convicted of Criminal Use of Personal Identification Information involving 10 or more victims.
Investigation Remains Active
The Attorney General’s Office said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional arrests or charges may be filed as investigators continue to identify others connected to the alleged fraud scheme.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Counsel for Public Assistance Fraud Scott Strauss in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
Central Florida News
Orange County Commission District 3 Lawsuit Set for July 10 Hearing, Candidate Randy Ross Says
Published
2 days agoon
July 6, 2026
Florida National News learned of the July 10 court date following a press conference held by Ross and later received a news release from his campaign announcing the scheduled hearing.
Lawsuit Challenges Election Process
Ross filed the lawsuit after challenging the application of Florida’s resign-to-run law following Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe’s decision to seek another elected office.
“This lawsuit has never been about me,” Ross said. “It has always been about the right of District 3 residents to elect their own County Commissioner. On Friday, the people finally get their day in court.”
Ross: ‘The Law Matters’
Ross said his legal challenge is focused on ensuring election laws are applied consistently.
“While others relied on politics, assumptions and opinion, I relied on one thing … the law,” Ross said. “If we expect our citizens to follow the law, then government must follow it too. There cannot be one set of rules for politicians and another for everyone else.”
Concerns Over Election Accountability
Ross said the case raises broader questions about accountability and public confidence in Orange County’s election process.
“Candidates place their trust in our election officials to provide competent, accurate guidance,” Ross said. “Voters deserve confidence that elections are conducted according to Florida law … not political convenience. When government gets it wrong, someone has to stand up. I chose to do exactly that.”
Campaign Message
Ross, a longtime Orange County resident and community leader, said the lawsuit reflects the type of leadership he would bring to the County Commission.
“I don’t back down from difficult fights. I don’t accept government incompetence. And I don’t believe taxpayers or voters should pay the price when public officials fail to do their jobs.”
He also pledged to provide a public update immediately following Friday’s hearing.
“I welcome this opportunity because facts matter. The law matters. Most importantly, the voices of District 3 voters matter. This isn’t about politics … it is about protecting the integrity of our elections and ensuring the people, not government bureaucracy, decide who represents them.”
The hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026. The court’s ruling will determine the legal issues presented in the case. The allegations and legal arguments discussed are those advanced by the plaintiff and remain subject to judicial review.
FNN Newsletter
Trending
US NATIONAL NEWS1 day agoFIFA Explains Legal Basis for Suspending Folarin Balogun’s One-Match Ban
Politics2 days agoVice President JD Vance to Visit Milwaukee, Discuss Trump Administration’s Anti-Fraud Efforts
Sports2 days agoU.S. Men’s National Team Meets Belgium in FIFA World Cup Knockout Match in Seattle
Sports2 days agoOrlando Magic Add Veteran NBA Coaches, Player Development Leaders to Sean Sweeney’s Coaching Staff
US NATIONAL NEWS2 days agoSecretary Marco Rubio Says FIFA Made the Right Call Reversing Red Card Before U.S.-Belgium Match
