Since 2022, Florida has passed legislation affecting access to many different types of books in the public school system. In August, a federal court ruled Florida’s House Bill 1069 unconstitutional but the state filed an appeal in September.
The state’s actions have sparked debate among parents—some believe banning books takes away children’s ability to learn about diverse subjects, while others believe it should be up to parents to decide what their children are exposed to, not the schools.
“With my homeschooled kids, I introduce a variety of ideas that my public school child won’t be exposed to until either the weekend,” said concerned parent Edna Gonzalez.
Experts say banning books can affect students’ learning development and only limits their curiosity.
“They can use books as a window to see what other people are doing … and that can help them develop empathy,” said Florida International University child development professor Dr. Angela K. Salmon.
Parents who are against the bans have been vehemently protesting and contacting policymakers to voice their concerns.
“Even if you don’t have kids, it’s something everyone should be contacting their state legislators about,” said Gonzalez.
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Lucas Bogardus is a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism. He has served as a congressional intern, interned with América TeVé, and covered stories across South Florida, including a collaboration with Channel 10. He is currently based in the Caplin News Washington, D.C. bureau. After his studies, he plans to work covering politics and international relations.
Lola is currently pursuing a degree in Digital Media Communications with a focus on the Interactive Media track. She is passionate about storytelling, design, and technology, and is especially interested in working in the entertainment industry or with media agencies that create captivating, interactive content.
Dylan Teboe is a digital communication and media student in his junior year at Florida International University. He has channeled his lifelong passion for creative storytelling through many different outlets over the years, such as film, photography, editing, and social media. Whether it’s through a film class assignment, a social media video or a mixed media project, his goal is always to create experiences that entertain, surprise and stick with people.
Joanna Camargo is a senior majoring in Digital TV and Multimedia Production. She is
passionate about producing, storytelling, and bringing stories to life across television, film, and digital platforms. Joanna is bilingual in English and Spanish and enjoys exploring the behind-the-scenes of content production.
