[♪♪] >> I'M ON DIGITAL MEDIA MORE THAN 12 HOURS A DAY, REALLY.

>> I DO FIND MYSELF FEELING LIKE I'M NOT CONNECTED AT ALL IF I DO NOT CHECK IT EVERY HALF HOUR.

>> TV SHOWS, MOVIES, USING TIKTOK AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> ONE IN FIVE AMERICAN ADD LESS ENTSDS REPORT HAVING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

>> TODAY WE ARE MORE CONNECTED THAN EVER.

AND, YET, WE OVER LEAL ALONE.

OUR CONNECTIONS ARE THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH WE BUILD SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES AND OVERALL SOCIAL ENTERPRISES.

>> TECHNOLOGY BRINGS US TOOLS.

BUT ALSO THREATS.

>> A NEW REPORT FROM THE F.B.I.

REVEALS THAT AMERICANS LOST MORE THAN $10 BILLION LAST YEAR TO ON-LINE SCAMS AND DIGITAL FRAUD.

>> AFTER MONTH'S LONG INVESTIGATION POLICE ARRESTED THE SCHOOL'S ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR FABRICATING THE AUDIO CLIP USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

>> WE NEED THE SKILLS TO FILTER WHAT IS USEFUL AND SAFE.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA CREATED THE PERFECT STORM IT IS TERRIFYING AS THE MOTHER OF A YOUNG GIRL.

>> WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> THE LATEST FRONT IN THE BATTLE AGAINST FAKE NEWS, THE CLASSROOM.

>> AND MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION WE ARE COMMITTING THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND LEADERSHIP TO BECOME THE TRUSTED PARTNER FOR SUCCESS IN ADVANCING MEDIA LITERACY.

WE ARE BUILDING ON 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

JOIN US NOW AS WE TAKE BOLD ACTION FOR ALL MARYLANDERS.

MPT HAS LONG BEEN A TRUSTED EDUCATIONAL PARTNER AND CONVENER.

WHICH IS WHY WE ARE SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THE CENTER IS BUILDING A STATE-WIDE NETWORK TO ADVANCE MEDIA LITERACY, A PUBLIC FOR THE WELL-BEING OF ALL MARYLANDERS.

>> MEDIA LITERACY IS A CRITICAL ISSUE AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTRY AND THE NEED FOR ACTION IS YOUR JEPTD.

>> TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA IN EVERYDAY LIFE IS GOING TO GROW AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR KIDS TO UNDERSTAND AND US TO EDUCATE THEM TO GET THERE.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO IN EVERY COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK PUBLIC MEDIA HAS A REALLY IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AND A REALLY IMPORTANT TRACK RECORD.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE.

BUT WE ARE IN THE CRISIS.

>> WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO.

WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO.

>> JOIN US US AS WE TAKE BOLD ACTION TO SHAPE THE FUTURE FOR ALL MARYLANDERS.

>> I JUST MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION IS LAUNCHING THE CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

NOW, WHY DO I DO THAT?

IT'S ALL ABOUT MEDIA LITERACY, NEWS ANXIETY AND FINDING THAT NATURAL SENSE OF CURIOSITY.

I READ THE NEWSPAPER EVERY MORNING.

THE ATLANTIC JOURNAL CONSTITUTION.

AND I FOUND MYSELF KNOWING ABOUT ASSOCIATOLOGY WHICH IS WHAT I'M STUDYING.

HOWEVER I KNEW SO LITTLE WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE WORLD.

YET, I SPENT A HUGE CHUNK OF MY TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

WHERE I SAW THE NEWS.

WHEN I SAW IT DURING MY SCROLL SERVICE SANDWICHED BETWEEN A PICTURE OF A PARTY ON FRIDAY NIGHT THAT I WASN'T INVITED TO AND INFO GRAPHIC THE WAY YOU SHOULD LAYER YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE.

I SAW THE NEWS BUT I DID NOT CONSUME IT.

AND THE NEWS I WAS CONSUMING LIVED IN THIS POSITIVE CHAMBER OF ALGORITHMS.

MY EYES WOULD ONLY SEE THINGS I SHOWED MY SOCIAL LIKED.

I WENT BACK TO WHAT I KNEW.

THE NEWSPAPER.

I ASKED FOR "THE NEW YORK TIMES" DELIVERED EVERYDAY FOR MY BIRTHDAY.

AND ANY MEMBER OF GEN Z I RECORDED WHAT I LEARNED.

I HELPED MY AUDIENCE ANNOTATE.

FIND JOY HAD IN NEW INFORMATION.

UNGUIDED BY ALGORITHM.

REINTRODUCE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND MY FAVORITE STEP OF MEDIA LITERACY.

CURIOSITY AND IT LED ME HERE TO THE LAUNCH OF THE ONE AND ONLY MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO YOUR LAUNCH.

>> PLEASE WELCOME OUR M-H EMCEE, MEDIA LITERACY INFLUENCER, KELSEY RUSSELL.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

THAT'S CRINGEY TO WATCH YOURSELF I MUST SAY.

LIKE MY VIDEO SAID I'M PROUD AND HAPPY TO BE WITH ALL OF YOU AT THIS LAUNCH OF THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

LITERACY AND MEDIA LITERACY HAS BEEN A PASSION OF MINE BEFORE I KNEW WHAT IT WAS.

AND I GET TO SHARE IMPORTANT NEWS STORIES AND TIPS WITH MY GROWING AUDIENCE AND KOOTD ON TIKTOK AND NOW IT'S MY JOB.

AND WHILE I'M USED TO SPEAKING THROUGH 13450ED IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE IN-PERSON AND SEE FACES WITH YOU ALL AND CONNECT IN OUR STUDIO AUDIENCE AND SHARE THIS EVENTS WITH YOU JOINING THROUGH THE MPT YouTube CHANNEL AND WEBSITE.

TODAY YOU WILL GET INSIGHTS INTO THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDIA LITERACY IN OUR DIGITAL AGE AND A LOOK AT WHAT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION SETUP AND STEPPED UP TO BRING POWERFUL COMMUNITY NETWORKS OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO MEET THIS MOMENT.

WE'LL HEAR FROM MANY DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS BOTH IN-PERSON AND THROUGH VIDEOS.

WHICH, PEOPLE WORKING IN GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION, AND PHILANTHROPY AND STUDENTS FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH COLLEGE.

IN FACT, SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE HERE WITH US TODAY.

IN STUDIO I MUST TAKE A MOMENT TO SHOUT THEM OUT.

FIRST WE HAVE PA STORIES POLLACK AND STUDENTS FROM BENJAMIN TASKER MIDDLE SCHOOL.

[APPLAUSE] ASHLEY PORTER AND STUDENTS FROM DC INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL.

[APPLAUSE] AND RICK BOARDMAN AND STUDENTS FROM STEVENSON UNIVERSITY.

[APPLAUSE] THE CLASS, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO SEE YOUR WORK SOON IN VIDEO TOSSEL US MORE.

TO TELL US MORE ABOUT WHY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION TOOK ON THIS IMPORTANT WORK, LET'S HEAR FROM MPT PRESIDENT AND CO-LARRY UNGER.

[APPLAUSE] >> WELL, THANK YOU, KELSEY.

AND GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE.

IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO GREET VISITORS TO MPT BUT TODAY IT'S REALLY A SPECIAL TREAT TO HAVE THE FIRST LADY OF MARYLAND, DAWN MOORE JOINING US.

[APPLAUSE] I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME OTHER VERY SPECIAL GUESTS WHICH YOU WILL ALL BE HEARING FROM IN A FEW MOMENTS.

AND OF COURSE, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS OR PARENTS, WELL, WE PARTICULARLY WELCOME YOU AND THANK YOU FOR LEANING IN ON THIS CRITICAL INITIATIVE.

AND MAKING TIME TO JOIN US.

THE ISSUE AT HAND IS, OF COURSE, THE PERVASIVE AND OFTEN HARMFUL EFFECT OF MESSAGES WE ALL RECEIVE ON OUR DEVICES INCLUDING DIGITAL SOCIAL AND CONVENTIONAL MEDIA WHETHER IT'S FAKE NEWS SCAMS OR MISINFORMATION.

THESE ARE ILLS THAT TECHNOLOGY WITH ALL ITS ADVANTAGES HAVE LAID ON OUR DOORSTEPS.

TODAY, WE LAUNCH AN EFFORT TO REACH OUR FELLOW CITIZENS OF ALL AGES TO HELP THEM LEARN HOW TO EVALUATE THE INFORMATION THEY RECEIVE, AND TO MAKE REALLY INFORMED CHOICES.

I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT MEDIA LITERACY IS MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER BEFORE.

MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION TAKES PRIDE IN LAUNCHING TODAY THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

I'D LIKE TO REFLECT FOR A MOMENT ON THE IMMENSE POWER OF MEDIA.

WE CAN AGREE IT CAN EDUCATE, IT CAN ENTERTAIN, AND IT CAN RISK OUR LIVES.

BUT IT CAN INFLUENCE IN UNHEALTHY WAYS.

IT CAN UNDERMINED SOCIAL COHESION.

WE'VE ALL WITNESSED THAT SO PLEASE GIVE YOUR ATTENTION TO OUR GUESTS WHO WILL SHARE THEIR EXPERTISE IN HELPING US NAVIGATE TODAY'S DIGITAL MEDIA LANDSCAPE.

THIS IMPORTANT WORK IS AT THE HEART OF THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

AND WITH YOUR HELP, THE WORK STARTS TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH LARRY FOR THAT.

AND NEXT, I WANT TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE MANY OF YOU WILL ALREADY KNOW.

WHOSE WORK HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO A AUTHENTICITY AND CORRECTING MISINFORMATION.

FRANK SESNO IS A LONG TIME JOURNALIST.

"CNN" CORRESPONDENT ANCHOR AND WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF.

HE IS AN AUTHOR AND TEACHES AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY AND IS A DIRECTOR OF THE GW ALLIANCE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.

WELCOME, FRANK.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, KELSEY.

WONDERFUL TO BE WITH EVERYBODY, TODAY.

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON HITTING 100,000 TIKTOK FOLLOWERS.

>> THANK YOU, BIG SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS.

>> NEXT STEP IS A MILLION.

>> THAT WILL TAKE TIME.

>> I LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DOING ABOUT CURIOSITY AND AUTHENTICITY IT'S COOL SO EVERYBODY CAN FOLLICLESY NEXT.

SO I'M SURE YOU KNOW THAT A BIG PART OF OUR DIGITAL EXPERIENCE NOW INVOLVES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE NEXT CHALLENGE.

THE PROLIFERATION OF A.I.

IS REAL.

DO YOU CONSUME IT?

>> I DO.

>> SOMETIMES WITHOUT KNOWING IT.

IT'S ENTERED OUR EVERYDAY LIVES AND OFTEN TIMES YOU CANNOT TELL THE REAL FROM THE FAKE.

NAVIGATING AND UNDERSTANDING A.I.

GENERATED IMAGERY SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING IN MEDIA LITERACY THEY ARE SO CONNECTED.

EXAMPLES OF A.I.

HERE'S ONE.

SOME OF THE IMAGERY IS BOGUS AND YOU CAN TELL.

I DON'T THINK YOUR DOG HOLDS A KID IN THE NEIHBORHOOD LIKE THAT?

>> NO, BUT I MISS MY DOG.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO WHILE I'M USING HOW ABOUT THIS ONE.

THIS CELEBRITY IS THE POPE.

AND HE DOESN'T WANDER AROUND IN A PUFFER JACKET THAT IS A.I.

>> IT LOOKS GOOD.

>> HOW ABOUT THIS I'M USING THIS CELEBRITY KITCHEN NIGHTMARE DID NOT HAPPEN IF YOU HAVE A KITCHEN LIKE THAT BEWARE.

AND SOME FAKE NEWS ACTUALLY IS FAKE NEWS.

SO CHECK THIS OUT.

THIS LOOKS CREDIBLE.

NONE OF THE PEOPLE, NONE OF THE REPORTERS, NONE OF THE SCENES ARE REAL.

THIS IS ALL A.I.

GENERATED.

AND HOW ABOUT THIS ONE, EACH OF THE VIDEO PIECES TOOK A 50-WORD PROMPT AND 60 SECONDS TO BE GENERATED.

THOSE LOOK LIKE REAL PEOPLE.

>> I WANT TO KNOW WHAT SYSTEM THEY USE.

>> SCARY STUFF.

LET'S GO TO THE INTERSECTION OF MEDIA AND LITERACY AND TECHNOLOGY NOW, A.I.

AND MENTAL HEALTH AND HEAR FROM SOME EXPERTS AND WE'LL TALK AGAIN IN A BIT.

I'D LIKE TO WELCOME OUR EXPERTS TO THE STAGE.

AND WELCOME PLEASE Dr. HARSH TRIVEDI, HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF SHEPPARD PRATT AND ANNA GOMEZ COMMISSIONER OF THE F.C.C.

COMMISSION.

TALK TO YOU BOTH, WELCOME.

[APPLAUSE] AND WELCOME TO THE -- WE'RE GOING TO GET IN TO LOTS OF THINGS.

I WANT TO ASK OUR AUDIENCE AND TELEVISION AUDIENCE WE'LL TRANSLATE THE RESULTS HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD SAY THAT YOU HAVE CONSUMED SUSPICIOUS OR UPSETTING INFORMATION OR CONTENT ON-LINE?

SUSPICIOUS OR UPSETTING?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THAT IS 99% OF THE ROOM.

TELL US ABOUT SHEPPARD PRATT AND WHAT YOU DO AND I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT RESULT AND COMMISSIONER GOMEZ YOU AS WELL.

>> SURE.

SHEPPARD PRATT IS THE NATION'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF NONPROFIT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WE TAKE CARE OF 80,000 INDIVIDUALS A YEAR.

PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD FOR THAT CARE AND WE HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 1853 PROVIDING TRUSTED CARE OVER DECADES AND GENERATIONS.

>> AND THE F.C.C.

'S JOB?

>> THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IS THE NATION'S EXPERT AGENCY AND REGULATOR OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THOSE HANDS UP, DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> NO, IT DOES NOT.

>> DOES IT SHOCK YOU?

>> IT IS SHOCKING, YES IT'S WORRISOME.

>> IS THIS A COMMON EXPERIENCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD THAT WE'RE SEEING THIS?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WHAT YOU ARE DOING TODAY AND WHAT MPT IS DOING TO PROMOTE MEDIA LITERACY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN DISCONCERN WHAT IS TRUTH AND WHAT IS MISINFORMATION, DISINFORMATION OR MALINFORMATION.

>> DOCTOR, YOU WROTE AN OP-ED THIS PAST SUMMER.

AND HERE'S SOME OF WHAT YOU SAID.

AS A SEASONED PHYSICIAN AND BOARD CERTIFIED PSYCHIATRIST, THE LEADER OF THE NATION'S LARGEST NONPROFIT PROVIDER OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THE FATHER OF TEENAGERS, THAT IS YOUR REALLY QUALIFYING TRAIT, I SEE THE DAILY ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLAYS IN THE LIVES OF OUR YOUTH.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> SO I WILL SAY AS A CHILD PSYCHIATRIST WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS UNPRECEDENTED ISSUES AND PROBLEMS.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, RIGHT NOW IN MARYLAND ALONE, WE HAVE 60,000 ADOLESCENTS AGES 13-17 THAT ARE DEALING WITH DEPRESSION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THAT IS FUELED BY, A LOT OF IT IS BY CONSUMPTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHAT IS GOING ON AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHAT WE'RE NOTICING IS WHILE THERE IS A LOT OF DESIRE FOR INFORMATION, WHAT IS REALLY MISSING IS ACCESS.

HALF OF THOSE KIDS DON'T SEE ANYONE FOR HELP AT ALL.

AND WHAT THAT IS LEADING TO RIGHT NOW IN BALTIMORE CITY, ONE OUT OF FOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SAY THAT THEY'VE CONSIDERED SUICIDE IN THE LAST YEAR.

WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE STATE, ONE OUT OF THREE WILL STAY THAT THEY HAVE SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

AND THAT HAPPENS EVERYDAY MOST OF THE TIME.

SO THIS IS PARTICULARLY AN IMPORTANT TOPIC AND ONE WE SHOULD BE TALKING MORE ABOUT.

>> I WANT TO STAY ON THIS FOR JUST A MINUTE.

IN YOUR OP-ED YOU ALSO REFERENCE RESEARCH.

THAT SHOWS THAT SOCIAL MEDIA ACTUALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> TWO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THAT.

ONE IS, WHAT YOU SEE AND THERE IS A TRAINING ASPECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

THERE IS A REASON WHY YOU SEE SHORT CLIPS, WHY WHEN YOU ARE IN THAT DEATH SCROLL ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED PICK THE ONE THAT YOU WANT.

IT TRAINS YOU TO BEHAVE A CERTAIN WAY.

BUT THE SECOND PART OF THAT IS THERE IS GOOD RESEARCH THAT SHOWS ON AVERAGE YOUTH 13-17 TEND TO BE ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT 4.8 HOURS A DAY.

BUT WHAT WE NOTICED IF YOU ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA MORE THAN THREE HOURS A DAY THAT IS CORRELATED WITH HIGHER RATES OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

SO WE'RE SEEING THE BAD MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING TOO MUCH SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> AND THAT HAS BEEN MEASURED IN THE RESEARCH.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

>> WHAT DO YOU TELL PEOPLE WHO SAY WHY CAN'T WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?

WHY CAN'T WE CONTROLTIES, REGULATE THIS, SHUT THIS DOWN?

>> YEAH, I GET ASKED THAT A LOT.

BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT PARTICULARLY REGULATORS LIKE MYSELF KEEP IN MIND THAT WE HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT THAT PROTECTS THE RIGHT OF EXPRESSION.

AND ALSO KEEPS REGULATORS LIKE ME FROM DELVING INTO CONTENT FOR A GOOD REASON.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE POINTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THROUGHOUT THIS CONVERSATION AND THE DAY IS THAT THE REGULATORS NOW ARE US.

THE CONSUMERS.

ALL OF US.

WE REGULATE OUR OWN CONTENT AND WE TRY TO SHAPE THAT WITH OUR KIDS AND OTHERS AND HOW WE TEACH.

IS REGULATION IS A DISCUSSION, RIGHT?

WHAT CAN WE DO.

CAN WE MINIMIZE ON-LINE HARMS AND OTHER THINGS.

ARE WE POWERLESS THEN?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO AS YOU SAID, FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS THAT THEY CAN DISCERN WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN'T TRUTHFUL CONTENT.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT ALSO FOR US TO BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR LOCAL MEDIA.

DIVERSITY, LOCALISM, COMPETITION ARE THE CORNERSTONES OF MEDIA POLICY AND THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT.

BECAUSE OF THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF CONSENT WE SEE CONTENT BEING CREATED BY LOTS OF DIVERSE VOICES WHICH CAN BE GREAT AND IT CAN BE VERY GOOD.

IT CAN BE TO -- CAN LEAD TO MANY CHALLENGES AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TRUST IN JOURNALISM WHERE LOCAL BROADCASTERS ARE SO IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE THEY ARE TRUSTED PROVIDERS OF TRUTH.

AND OF FACTS.

THEY HAVE JOURNALISTIC ETHICS.

YOU DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA YOU ARE GENERATING CONTENT.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM OR VERIFIED AND THAT IS WHY THIS INITIATIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION WHY PUBLIC MEDIA IS SO IMPORTANT IN THIS CONVERSATION.

PEOPLE LARGELY, ESPECIALLY YOUNGER PEOPLE AND NOT JUST YOUNGER PEOPLE AREN'T JUST CONSUMING THIS AND SOMETIMES YOU CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE.

WHAT ABOUT TRUST?

AND HOW PEOPLE DISCERN WHAT CAN BE TRUSTED?

>> ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS AND PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNGER KIDS ONE OF THOSE SKILLS YOU LEARN IS WHAT DO YOU TRUST?

WHO ARE THE TRUSTABLE ADULTS IN YOUR LIFE?

WHAT RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE ONES YOU ARE GOING TO BELIEVE IN?

WHO DO YOU TURN TO WHEN YOU GET IN HARM'S WAY OR THERE IS A PROBLEM.

A LOT OF THIS AND TRUST IS A HUGE PIECE.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION PARTICULARLY ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN AND I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF TIKTOK DOCTORS AND THINGS WHERE YOU CAN WATCH ANYTHING AND FOOL YOURSELF INTO BELIEVING MAYBE I HAVE ANXIETY, MAYBE I HAVE AN EATING DISORDER, MAYBE ADHD.

THE PROBLEM IS WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?

AND IS PART OF THIS IS IN THAT 13450ED ATMOSPHERE SPHEER PEOPLE SPEND MOORE AND MORE TIME LOSS OF TRUST BECAUSE YOU GO DOWN THE ECOCHAMBERS THAT LEAD TO MORE DISINFORMATION AND KEEP ON POINTING OUT SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT BE TRUE.

THAT'S WHERE THE DANGER COMES IN.

>> SO WHAT SHOULD THE TEACHERS IN THE ROOM DO ABOUT THIS?

AND TO TEACH AND BUILD TRUST?

WHAT SHOULD THE STUDENTS IN THE ROOM DO TO RECOGNIZE AND BUILD TRUST?

>> SO ONE OF THE THINGS I RECOMMEND TO LOTS OF PARENTS AND EDUCATORS IS REALLY IT HAS TO START FROM BIRTH AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, IS IF YOU JUST LOOK AROUND, THERE ARE THREE-MONTH-OLD, SIX-MONTH-OLD, NINE MONTHS OLD THAT HAVE A SCREEN IN FRONT OF THEM.

AND WHAT I WILL SAY IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IS WE HAVE TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS AS PARENTS AND ADULTS AND KIDS' LIVES.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD VERY MUCH SAY IS ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT GROWN-UP IN A GENERATION WHERE WE HAD SCREENS, THE REALITY IS WE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A GOOD PARENT, A GOOD ROLE MODEL A GOOD EDUCATOR AND WE HAVE TO TAKE LESSONS OF THE PAST AND APPLY THEM TO NOW.

HOW MUCH SCREEN TIME WHEN SHOULD KIDS HAVE A SCREEN, HOW ARE WE USING THE TECHNOLOGY REALLY AS AN AID TO TEACH AS OPPOSED TO A BABYSITTER.

AND I THINK THOSE ARE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS BUT WE HAVE TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER GOMEZ WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN PEOPLE ASK YOU THOSE QUESTIONS?

>> PART OF WHAT I SAY IS DON'T IMMEDIATELY RETWEET SOMETHING OR FORWARD SOMETHING.

WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING OUTRAGEOUS.

IT'S PROBABLY DESIGNED TO OUTRAGE YOU AND IT MAY NOT BE BASED IN FACT.

GO TO A TRUSTED SOURCE AND CHECK BEFORE YOU SPREAD THE MISINFORMATION THE DISINFORMATION.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE NATION STATES THAT ARE TRYING TO MANIPULATE US.

THEY ARE TRYING TO SOW DISCORD AND AFFECT OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO STOP AND THINK AND ACTUALLY DO SOME RESEARCH AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN TELL WHEN YOU ARE BEING MANIPULATED.

>> SO I LIKE TO COME AT THIS FROM A JOURNALIST PERSPECTIVE.

WE ASK QUESTIONS.

SO I SAY ASK YOURSELF WHERE DOES THIS COME FROM?

DO THEY HAVE A POINT OF VIEW OR AGENDA?

ARE THEY BEING FAIR TO THE ISSUE?

IF IT SEEMS OUTRAGEOUS, IS IT REALLY OUTRAGEOUS?

MAYBE WE SHOULD DO LISTENING FOR A COUPLE MINUTES TO SOME OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEY ARE INVOLVED IN IT AND SORTING THROUGH IT.

THESE ARE STUDENTS AT BENJAMIN TASKER STUDENTS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO THAT THEY DEVELOPED ON SOME OF THE MEDIA EFFECTS THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

>> HEY THERE.

I'M ARIANNA AND I'M A STUDENT HERE.

I USE SOCIAL MEDIA IN MY DAILY LIFE LIKE I USE TIKTOK, YouTube TO SCROLL WHEN I'M BORED.

SOMETIMES INSTAGRAM.

I USUALLY USE PIN TERRORIST.

I USE YouTube.

>> I USE SOCIAL MEDIA IN MY BAIL LIFE BY SHARING VIDEOS WITH MY FRIENDS AND SOMETIMES I WILL DO A SILLY DANCE TO POST FOR FUN.

>> SOMETHING I LIKE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA IS PEOPLE CAN USE IT TO UPLIFT THEIR CONFIDENCE OR UPLIFT THEIR FRIEND'S CONFIDENCE.

>> PEOPLE CAN EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND GIVE YOUR OPINIONS SAFELY.

>> I LIKE HOW YOU CAN SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE UP TO AND HAVE FUN.

YOU NEED OUTFIT IDEAS OR HAIR STYLE IDEAS OR HELP WITH YOUR MAKEUP.

>> FOR INSPIRATION LOOKING AT OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK SEEING WHAT THEY DO WITH THEIR LIVES WHILE I LIVE MINE.

>> IT'S ENTERTAINING AND IT MAKES ME LAUGH.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A CONVERSATION GOING ON.

SOMEONE IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT POSITIVE THINGS, SHARING IDEAS AND MAKING GREAT IMPACTS ON THE WORLD.

>> DON'T GET ME WRONG.

SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE KIND OF, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

>> USE IT FOR CYBERBULLYING OR BE RUDE TO PEOPLE OVERALL.

>> IT CAN BE WILL OVERLY NEGATIVE BECAUSE WE SEE THERE IS A SCREEN AND NO ONE CAN REALLY SEE US.

>> THERE CAN BE INAPPROPRIATE POSTS AND TWO, IT CAN BE VERY NEGATIVE AND HURT PEOPLE'S FEELINGS.

I DON'T WANT THAT IN THE WORLD.

>> SOCIAL MEDIA JUST OVERALL NOT REALLY GOOD FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

IT CAN AFFECT HOW YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF.

AND IT'S JUST REALLY NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

>> THIS ISESTER SIGNING OFF.

HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY.

>> AND MAKE BETTER CHOICES.

BYE.

>> GOOD JOB BENJAMIN TASKER.

[APPLAUSE] SO THERE IS A LOT THERE THAT YOU GUYS WERE SAYING.

THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD THAT CAN YOU HEAR ONE ANOTHER, THAT YOU CAN ENGAGE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND LEARN.

BUT THERE'S ANXIETY THAT COMES FROM THAT.

BECAUSE YOU CAN BE LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER AND WONDERING AND MAKE GOOD CHOICES.

HOW DO YOU REACT TO WHAT YOU HEARD?

>> I REACT REALLY WITH WHAT I WOULD SAY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW A LOT MORE ABOUT THIS THAN SOME OF OUR ADULTS DO AND SOME OF OUR PARENTS DO.

THE FIRST THING I WALK AWAY WITH AS A PARENT YOU HAVE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND KNOW WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ARE ON.

>> LET THE RECORD SAY I SAW HEADS NODDING OUT HERE.

>> EXACTLY.

AND THE SECOND PART OF WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I THINK, AS MUCH AS THERE IS GOOD LIKE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BAD OR THE POTENTIAL HARMS ARE.

SO WHAT I WILL SAY AS A PARENT, YOU KNOW THAT IF YOUR CHILD WAS LET'S SAY TWO OR THREE YEARS OLD YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LET THEM RUN ACROSS THE STREET.

IN THAT SAME WAY, HOW WE DEAL WITH SOCIAL MEDIA WHAT SAFEGUARDS WE PUT INTO PLACE, HOW INVOLVED WE ARE WITH OUR CHILD THAT HAS TO DEVELOP, DEVELOPMENTALLY AND GIVE THE RIGHT FREEDOM SO THEY CAN PRACTICE IT IN A SAFE WAY.

AND THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY THIS IS THE REAL CONCERN, IT FEELS GOOD INITIALLY TO GET INTO THE CONVERSATIONS.

YOU MAY BE ON THE DIFFERENT CHATS OR OTHER THINGS.

THE PROBLEM IS, WHEN YOU PARTICULARLY GET TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE, MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE THIS IS WHEN KIDS FIGURE OUT WHO THEY ARE.

WHEN THEY START HAVING OPINIONS AND MAKE FRIENDS AND DO OTHER THINGS.

IF YOU CAN'T MANAGE THE INTERACTION, IF YOU GET INTO THE WRONG PEER GROUPS A LOT OF HARM CAN COME.

PARTICULARLY ABOUT SELF IMAGE ARE YOU PRETTY OR NOT PRETTY?

ARE YOU LIKED OR NOT LIKED.

CYBERBULLYING AND OTHER ISSUES.

LOTS OF TIMES KIDS ARE FACING THIS ALONE IN THE WAY THEY WOULDN'T IN THE REAL WORLD WITH THEIR PARENTS AND THAT IS WHERE YOU GET INTO MORE DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE KIDS ARE EXPOSED TO A LOT.

THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE SKILLS TO NEGOTIATE IT.

AND WHATEVER IS GOING ON GETS MULTIPLIED IN THE WAY THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN BEFORE IF YOU ARE POSTING A PHOTO OR POSTING A TEXT, THAT CAN LEAD TO LOTTINGS OF BAD CONSEQUENCES AND THEN IT SNOWBALLS IF A WHERE IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO CONTROL OR ANYWAY TO REVERSE IT.

>> COMMISSIONER GOMEZ AND THINKING ABOUT A.I.

AND BAD INFORMATION WE'RE TALKING MEDIA LITERACY YOU CAN BE WELL READ IN THE MEDIA THAT YOU ARE CONSUMING AND KNOW WHAT IS TRUE AND NOT TRUE.

WHAT IS YOUR GUIDANCE TO A ROOM LIKE THIS AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND WHERE THERE'S GOING TO BE A STATE-WIDE INITIATIVE FOR HOW PEOPLE DETERMINE WHAT IS TRUSTWORTHY, JUST INFORMATIONALLY AND WHAT IS NOT?

>> YES, THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

AND IT TIES INTO WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PARENTS AND SCHOOLS.

FIRST OF ALL, I CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA LITERACY.

THE LA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS MEDIA LITERACY COURSES FOR THEIR STUDENTS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SCHOOLS TO BE LOOKING AT THIS AND TO BE HELPING STUDENTS FIND THE TOOLS THAT ARE NECESSARY.

>> IS THAT A GOOD WHAT YOU CONSIDER A GOOD CURRICULUM?

>> ANY CURRICULUM THAT IS TEACHING MEDIA LITERACY HAS TO BE A GOOD CURRICULUM.

HOPEFULLY.

NO I HAVE NOT DONE AN AUDIT OF THAT.

>> WHAT DO YOU HOPE MANUFACTURED TEACHES?

WHAT DEWE NEED TO TEACH PEOPLE.

>> UNDERSTANDING HOW TO SPOT WHERE THERE MIGHT BE ISSUES THAT UNTRUST COATERPY NOT GETTING INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AS I'M WORRIED ABOUT MISS AND DISINFORMATION ON-LINE AND THEIR ADVERSE EFFECTS AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT ARE TRUSTWORTHY SOURCES.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL BROADCAST MEDIA.

GIVING PARENTS THE TOOLS SO THE STUDENTS CAN SEE IS THERE A WATER MARK THAT MAY SHOW IF OF AN IMAGES BEEN MANIPULATED.

IS THERE OTHER TECHNOLOGY WHICH THEY ARE BEING DEVELOPED THAT CAN TELL YOU THE PROVIDENCE OF A DIGITAL MAJOR A VIDEO.

SO THAT YOU CAN TELL THAT SOMETHING'S BEEN MANIPULATED.

FOR ME, INFORMED CONSUMER, INFORMED STUDENT, INFORMED PARENT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE IN THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CITED IN YOUR OP-ED, YOU CITED THE SURGEON GENERAL'S REPORT THAT TALKED ABOUT LONELINESS.

AND YOU SAID THE REPORT IS A START BUT WE MUST IN YOUR WORDS WE MUST GO MUCH FURTHER.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> SURE.

I THINK THE REPORT CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

GOVERNMENT CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

THIS IS REALLY ABOUT OUR CHILDREN.

IT'S ABOUT OUR FAMILIES, ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE REALLY NEED EVERY ADULT, I WOULD SAY, INVOLVED WITH KIDS, INVOLVED IN A WAY THAT BRINGS FORTH NOT JUST KNOWLEDGE AND ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS, BUT IT'S PROVIDING THE RIGHT SUPPORTS.

MENTORS, TEACHERS, RELIABLE TRUSTED ADULTS AND THOSE ARE TEACHING MOMENTS THAT COME UP.

AND THIS IS THE HARD PART ABOUT REGULATION, TECHNOLOGY IS SO NEW AND KEEPS ON EVOLVING FASTER THAN REGULAR LATERS CAN KEEP UP ON IT.

THIS IS THE PART WHERE EVERY MORNING WE'RE WITH OUR CHILDREN.

WE HAVE THE IMPACT.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND I WOULD SAY IT'S NOT SIMPLY TEACHING MEDIA LITERACY IT'S HELPING THEM PRACTICE IT.

AND HELPING THEM GET BETTER AT THOSE SKILLS AS A PARENT CAN ASK QUESTIONS TO HELP THEM FIGURE OUT AND HONE IN.

>> IT'S CHALLENGING STUFF.

WHEN MY KIDS WERE LITTLE WE HAD A GAME, I WOULD DO THIS, LIKE, READ THREE HEADLINES AND TALK ABOUT IT.

AND YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY.

LIKE A NICKEL OR SOMETHING.

BUT NOW, NEWSPAPERS DON'T GET DELIVERED TO THE DOORSTEP THEY ARE NOT ON THE TABLE.

THE TELEVISION DOESN'T COME ON HOW DO WE DO THAT NOW?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL THINGS I WILL SAY MAYBE THE DELIVERY METHOD IS DIFFERENT.

I HAVE A 12 AND 14-YEAR-OLD.

THEY LOG ON TO OUR DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION OF THE "NEW YORK TIMES" MORE THAN MOM AND DAD DOES WE NEED TO GIVE OUR KIDS CREDIT.

FIGURE OUT WHAT MEDIA YOU TRUST.

FIND WAYS FOR THEM TO CONSUME THINGS OF GOOD QUALITY, HIGH QUALITY OF INTEGRITY AND GET INTO CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY IS SOCIAL MEDIA BY FORMAT IS SHORT, QUICK SNIPPETS.

MOST THINGS IN LIFE REQUIRE DISCUSSION,LE LOW EXECUTION THERE IS A TIME THAT IT TAKES AND THERE'S SO MUCH TIME THAT KIDS ARE AT HOME AT THE DINNER TABLE.

THERE'S TIME ON THE DRIVE TO A SPORTS GAME WHERE YOU CAN GET INTO THAT DISCUSSION IN A LONG FORM WAY THAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT GOING TO DELIVER AND DEVELOP THOSE SKILLS.

>> LET ME ASK BOTH THIS QUESTION TO CONCLUDE OUR THOUGHTS.

THIS IS A REMARKABLE AUDIENCE WE HAVE EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL AND THE TASKER HIGH SCHOOL, AND MIDDLE -- MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND WE HAVE THE FIRST LADY OF MARYLAND.

WE HAVE EDUCATORS, PARENTS, OTHERS.

MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION PAIRING WITH IT WITH SCHOOLS AND OTHERS.

WE HAVE A TIKTOK STAR WHO TALKS TO PEOPLE IN SHORT SNIPPETS AND ENGAGES THEIR CURIOSITY.

THINKING ABOUT THIS REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY HOW SHOULD THIS GROUP WORK TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE?

WHAT DO YOU HOPE COMES FROM THIS TANGIBLY?

>> WELL, AGAIN, FOR ME, THE MANTRA IS DISCERN, FIND THE DISCERNMENT SKILLS SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

LIKE WE TAKE ART APPRECIATION CLASSES IN ORDER TO BETTER APPRECIATE THE ART THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

WE SHOULD ALSO HAVE LITERACY SO THAT WE BETTER DISCERN WHAT IT IS WE ARE CONSUMING WITH ALL OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY ABOUT MAKING INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE, AND WONDERFUL THINGS THAT MPT DOES AND THE COALITION CAN DO WHAT ARE TANGIBLE THINGS THAT COME OUT THAT PARENTS AND KIDS CAN USE TODAY EDUCATORS CAN USE THAT HELP TO CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR.

HOW DO WE GET THAT AVERAGE OF 4.8 HOURS TO GO UNDER THREE SO WE CAN IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH THAT WE CAN TEACH THE RIGHT SKILLS AND IMPORTANTLY GROW MEANINGFUL ADULTS.

>> TALKING TO THE EDUCATORS IN THE CLASSROOM DOING THIS WHAT ARE TANGIBLE THINGS THEY SHOULD BE TEACHING BESIDES THAT?

TIME CONSUMED IS ONE.

>> TIME CONSUMED ON DEVICES.

KNOWING HOW TO DO THE RESEARCH AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS TRUE AND NOT TRUE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WILL SAY THE CLASSROOM IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO FIND PEOPLE THAT DON'T SHARE YOUR VIEWS TO KNOW HOW TO HAVE CIVIL CONVERSATION, DISCOURSE AND BREED WHAT IS RIGHT SKILLS AS THEY GO INTO THE WORKPLACE.

>> AND TO THE STUDENTS WHAT ARE TANGIBLE THINGS?

>> THE TANGIBLE THINGS ARE HOW DO YOU FIND OUT AND WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT LIKE YOURSELF OR DON'T SHARE THE SAME OPINIONS.

IT'S ABOUT EMOTIONAL REGULATION.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH SOMETHING WHEN IT DOESN'T FEEL GREAT AND WORK THROUGH THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT, DISAGREEMENTS AND HOW DO YOU BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WHEN EVERYONE DOESN'T LOVE THE EXACT SAME THINGS THAT YOU DO.

>> THE LAST WORD TO THE COMMISSIONER HERE.

WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE IN THIS CONVERSATION AND IN THIS CHALLENGE?

>> WHAT GIVES ME THE MOST HOPE IS THIS KIND OF CONVERSATION AND HOW MUCH WE'RE SEEING THAT PEOPLE ARE BECOMING AWARE.

THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

IT IS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE FOR SURE.

BUT ALSO IN TIMES OF EMERGENCIES, YOU REALLY NEED TO GET INFORMATION FROM TRUSTWORTHY SOURCES IN ORDER TO REACT TO THE EMERGENCIES.

WE SAW AFTER HURRICANE HELENE AND HURRICANE MILTON WAS THERE WERE HOAXES, THERE WAS MISINFORMATION ON-LINE THAT BRED DISTRUST TO THE CITIZENS THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THESE HURRICANES SO THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE HELP THEY NEEDED AND THE RESOURCES THEY NEEDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

AND THE FIRST-RESPONDERS WERE SUBJECT TO THREATS BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO BE RESPONIBLE CITIZENS OF THIS NEW MEDIA LANDSCAPE.

>> WORDS TO HEED.

SO WE ALL NEED TO DO THIS DEVELOP STRONG MEDIA LITERACY HABITS AT EVERY AGE AND THE GOOD NEWS WE CAN DO THAT WITH A LITTLE HELP.

AND HERE IS WHERE I WILL REFER THE AUDIENCE TO MPT'S NEW MEDIA LITERACY WEBSITE IT'S MARYLAND MEDIA LITERACY.ORG.

YOU WILL FIND RESOURCES FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND TOPICS TO HELP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NAVIGATE THIS ISSUE.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS.

APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

COMMISSIONER GOMEZ AND DOCTOR FOR YOUR INSIGHTS.

LET'S HEAR FROM OTHERS IN OUR EDUCATOR AND STUDENT COMMUNITY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AND OBSERVATIONS.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> I CAN'T THINK OF A MORE IMPORTANT FINAL FOR US TO BE TALKING ABOUT MEDIA LITERACY.

>> IN ORDER TO SURVIVE WE NEAT FACTUAL INFORMATION AND ACCESS INFORMATION.

>> USING TIKTOK A LOT OF FOLKS ARE USING THAT AS THEIR GOOGLE SEARCH WHEN YOU ARE ONLY GETTING INFORMATION FROM ONE SOURCE.

IT LET'S YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS IT IS TO NOT BE WELL-INFORMED.

>> WHEN CHILDREN ARE COMING TO OUR PROGRAM, AND IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM, WE ARE THE FOUNDATION.

SO WE LAY THE BEGINNING PARTS OF EDUCATION.

SO WHEN [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] FULFILLS THINGS WE ARE GETTING THEM IN THE HABIT [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] AND WANT TO BUILD STRONG FOUNDATION, MEDIA LITERACY IS PREPARING THE CHILDREN NOT JUST FOR TODAY, TOMORROW HAVING THEM BE LIFELONG LEARNERS.

>> I USE SOCIAL MEDIA A LOT.

>> I USE SOCIAL MEDIA EVERYDAY.

>> SMI SCREEN TIME IS 6 HOURS AND 51 MINUTES.

>> AN HOUR AND 20 MINUTES.

>> 10 HOURS.

>> ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD PSYCHIATRY THE AVERAGE IS 9 HOURS PER DAY.

WE SURVEYED STUDENTS AND THE AVERAGE SCREEN TIME IS SIX HOURS PER DAY.

>> I WOULD USE SOCIAL MEDIA A LOT JUST TO PROCRASTINATE AND NOT DO MY WORK.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST IMPACTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS THAT STUDENTS ARE PROVIDED AN UNREALISTIC EXPECTATION OF LIFE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, AMONG TEENS WITH THE HIGHEST SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE 41% RATE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AS POOR OR VERY POOR COMPARED TO 23% OF THOSE WITH THE LOWEST USAGE.

>> I HAVE SEEN WHEN I'M ON SOCIAL MEDIA MORE I LIKE DON'T GET MY WORK DONE.

I WILL TRY TO TALK TO MY FRIENDS AND THEY WILL BE ON THEIR PHONES SCROLLING.

AND IT CUTS THAT INTERACTION.

>> COVID HAD A HUGE IMPACT ON THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE WERE FORCED TO LIVE LIFE AT THE TIME.

AND I THINK THAT CREATED HABITS THAT MADE KIDS OVERLY RELIANT ON THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> I HAVE A TIMER ON MY INSTAGRAM.

AND THEN I PUSH IT BACK FIVE MINUTES AND I PUSH IT BACK ANOTHER FIVE MINUTES.

BUT I'M TRYING.

[APPLAUSE] >> I'M DEFINITELY TRYING TO.

THAT WAS BRAVE I DO NOT CHECK MY SCREEN TIME I'M SCARED TO SEE.

AND WE HEARD FROM THE BRAVE STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS HOW THEY ARE TRYING TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF MEDIA LITERACY IN THIS MOMENT AND I'M EXCITED TO INTRODUCE OUR NEXT SPECIAL GUEST, DAWN MOORE THE FIRST LADY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

SHE NOT ONLY BUILT A TRACK RECORD OF PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND SHE IS ALSO HERE AS A PROUD MOM OF TWO WHO PERSONALLY UNDERSTANDS THE STAKES OF MEDIA LITERACY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

PLEASE WELCOME DAWN MOORE.

[APPLAUSE] >> HELLO, MARYLAND.

I'M FIRST LADY DAWN MOORE.

AND I'M EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE MARYLAND CENTER POUR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS IN THE ROOM.

MPT PRESIDENT LARRY UNGER.

[APPLAUSE] MPT VICE-PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION, BETSEY PAYSOK.

AND MPT EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND STATION MANAGER STEVEN SHUPACK.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US IN THE STUDIO AND ON THE BROADCAST.

I BRING GREETINGS FROM MY HUSBAND WES MOORE THE 6 3rd GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

MOST PEOPLE KNOW ME AS MARYLAND'S FIRST LADY BUT I HAVE BEEN A CHAMPION FOR MARYLANDERS ACROSS MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO OUR STATE, INCLUDING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

HERE'S WHY.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE.

AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SECURE OUR FUTURE BY BUILDING STRONG CITIZENS.

THAT'S WHY YOUR WORK INSPIRES ME.

FOR THE PAST 55 YEARS, MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION HAS HELPED TO BUILD STRONG CITIZENS FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD.

THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND IN THE COUNTRY, WILL BUILD ON THAT LEGACY.

THE CENTER WILL BRING MEDIA LITERACY TO SCHOOLS, HOMES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THE CENTER WILL CREATE A STATE-WIDE NETWORK TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF OUR MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES.

AND THE CENTER WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR MARYLANDERS OF ALL AGES TO ENSURE WE LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THIS INITIATIVE MEANS FOR MARYLANDERS, ESPECIALLY AS A MOM.

I KNOW THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR CHILDREN FACE.

AND I KNOW THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR PARENTS FACE.

I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR SOLUTIONS.

AS MARYLAND'S FIRST LADY, ONE OF MY FOCUS AREAS IS MENTAL HEALTH.

ADDRESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN IS THE CRISIS OF OUR GENERATION.

THAT'S WHY SINCE TAKING OFFICE, OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS INVESTED $200 MILLION INTO IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR MARYLANDERS.

IN OUR HOME, MY HUSBAND AND I CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE.

SCIENCE TELLS US THAT EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME IS HARMFUL FOR OUR CHILDREN.

THAT'S WHY I'M STRICT ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR CHILDREN TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

OUR JOB IS NOT TO BE THEIR FRIEND.

I'M SORRY.

OUR JOB IS TO HELP THEM GROW INTO RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS WHO MAKE THE WORLD MORE EQUITABLE AND MORE JUST FOR ALL.

OUR JOB IS TO TEACH THEM HOW TO THINK AND NOT ALLOW SOCIAL MEDIA TO TEACH THEM WHAT TO THINK.

THAT IS MY COMMITMENT TO MY CHILDREN, TO THE CHILDREN OF MARYLAND.

THAT IS MARYLAND'S PUBLIC TELEVISION'S COMMITMENT TO THE CHILDREN OF MARYLAND.

AND YOU MAKE OUR STATE BETTER.

HERE CHILDREN LEARN MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THOSE AROUND THEM.

HERE CHILDREN GAIN THE ABILITY TO THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT THE ISSUES OF OUR TIME.

AT A TIME WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION OUT THERE, THIS INITIATIVE WILL HELP OUR CHILDREN SIFT THROUGH WHAT IS TRUE AND WHAT'S NOT.

AND I'M PROUD THAT THIS NEW INITIATIVE WILL BE A GUIDING LIGHT FOR BOTH OUR KIDS AND ADULTS.

FROM WESTERN MARYLAND TO THE EASTERN SHORE.

AS FIRST LADY, I'VE MET WITH MARYLANDERS IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT WORK HAPPENING.

THERE'S EXPLORATION, THERE'S INNOVATION, AND THIS CENTER WILL COORDINATE AND ELEVATE THESE EFFORTS.

IT WILL ENSURE THAT EVERYONE FROM COMMUNITY ELDERS TO THE STUDENTS TO TEACHERS WITH US TODAY, HAS ACCESS TO SHARED RESOURCES AND SHARED SOLUTIONS.

THIS IS ABOUT BUILDING COMMUNITY.

THIS IS ABOUT TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY.

THIS IS ABOUT SECURING MARYLAND'S FUTURE.

AS FIRST LADY, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ALONGSIDE EVERYDAY TO UPLIFT THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

ONE OF THE WAYS I'M DOING THAT IS BY BUILDING A BIGGER TABLE AND INVITING FAMILIES TO HAVE A SEAT AT THAT TABLE.

I CHAIR THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

WHICH OVERSEES THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE FIRST FAMILY.

HISTORICALLY, THE FOUNDATION HAS FOCUSED ON THE UPKEEP OF THE HOME.

BUT, WE HAVE EXPANDED THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION TO ENSURE GOVERNMENT HOUSE CAN BE A PLACE OF COMMUNITY AND, INNOVATION AND ENGAGEMENT.

LAST MONTH, I HOSTED AN INTERACTIVE DAY OF WELLNESS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CARE FIRST.

WE INVITED YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE STATE WHO HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED BY THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

WE DID YOGA AND MEDITATION ON THE FRONT LAWN.

WE HAD PANEL CONVERSATIONS WITH STUDENTS, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND EDUCATORS.

AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE LEFT EQUIPPED WITH RESOURCES TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING.

THE ISSUES WERE UP AGAINST ARE ENORMOUS.

THE STAKES ARE HIGH.

AND THE PATH FORWARD WILL BE DIFFICULT.

BUT WE DIDN'T RAISE OUR HAND TO SERVE BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASY.

WE RAISED OUR HAND TO SERVE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION WILL MAKE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

ON BEHALF OF MY HUSBAND AND THE ENTIRE MOORE-MILLION 'ER ADMINISTRATION I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A PARTNER IN THE STATE HOUSE.

LET ME END WITH THIS...

THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION IS NOT JUST SETTING THE TONE FOR OUR STATE.

IT IS SETTING THE TONE FOR OUR COUNTRY.

PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ASKING HOW MARYLAND GOT THIS DONE?

PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ASKING HOW CAN THEY STAND UP THEIR OWN CENTER?

LET US CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE WORK HAPPENING HERE AT MARYLAND PUBLIC TV.

IT MATTERS AND IT IS NECESSARY.

AND TOGETHER WE WILL LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND.

I THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] >> MEDIA LITERACY IS THE ABILITY TO DISCERN WHAT IS TRUE AND WHAT IS NOT TRUE.

WHAT IS RELIABLE AND CREDIBLE ON-LINE, WHAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL AND WHAT MAY BE HARMFUL.

BUT MEDIA LITERACY IS ALSO ABOUT BEING PROACTIVE RATHER THAN JUST REACTIVE TO THE INFORMATION.

>> WE ARE IS YOUR ROUNDED BY SO MUCH THAT MAKES US QUESTION WHAT OUR REALITY REALLY IS.

AND THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO DO THAT IS TO KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO IT IT AND KNOW HOW WE WANT TO INCORPORATE IT INTO OUR LIVES OR IF WE WANT TO REJECT IT AND NOT ENGAGE AT ALL.

>> THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL AS WELL AS IN THE CLASSROOM.

SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS NOT JUST DIRECTED TOWARDS STUDENTS, BUT ENTIRE COMMUNITIES, FAMILIES.

>> IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EVERY, SINGLE INDIVIDUAL HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO ENGAGE MEDIA.

TO HAVE A TOOLKIT THAT ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE AND ANALYZE HOW TO RESPOND TO IT.

>> WE'RE HERE AT STEVENSON UNIVERSITY IN MARYLAND TALKING TO OUR MUSTANGS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA AND HOW MUCH THEY KNOW ABOUT MEDIA LITERACY.

>> WHERE DO YOU GET THE MAJORITY OF YOUR INFORMATION?

>> USUALLY MY FRIENDS OR LOOK IT UP.

SOCIAL MEDIA, TELEVISION.

>> NEWS ARTICLES.

>> INFORMATION FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> TIKTOK.

>> INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK.

TIKTOK ANY SOCIAL MEDIA REALLY.

AND A LOT OF A.I.

>> HOW MUCH OF THAT INFORMATION DO YOU THINK IS TRUE?

>> NOT A LOT.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF A.I.

SO I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> IT DEPENDS BUT ALSO I BELIEVE LIKE OF THE THINGS I SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> I WILL TRY TO LOOK AT VERIFIED SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS NOT ABOUT TO READ SOMETHING I DON'T THINK IS TRUE.

>> A STUDY OUT OF TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SHOWED THAT WHEN AN ACCOUNT GETS VERSIFIED IT'S MORE LIKELY TO SHARE FAKE NEWS.

>> THE STUFF I DO IS DECIPHERING WHAT IS REAL ON THE INTERNET AND WHAT IS NOT.

>> AND MAYBE I SHOULDN'T BELIEVE TIKTOK.

>> WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH YOU COULD TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

>> TO NOT BELIEVE WHAT PEOPLE POST.

>> A LOT OF ISSUES I HAD IS BELIEVING MY LIFE WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH BECAUSE I SAW EVERYBODY POSTING HOW MUCH FUN THEY WERE HAVING.

>> I WOULD TELL MYSELF NOT TO GO ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT A YOUNGER AGE.

>> BE MORE CAUTIOUS WHAT YOU THINK IS TRUE.

>> YOU DON'T REALIZE THAT IS WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO POST SO YOU NEVER GET TO SEE PEOPLE'S ACTUAL LIVES LIKE INSTAGRAM.

>> CHECK YOUR SOURCES.

>> LOOK AT THE EXPERTISE.

>> A LOT OF STUFF YOU HEAR IS HARMFUL FOR SOCIETY AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND I FEEL LIKE BEING CAREFUL WHAT YOU ARE READING AND PARTICIPATING IN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

>> THAT IS IT FOR US HERE AT STEVENSON UNIVERSITY, BACK TO YOU AT MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

[APPLAUSE] >> THAT WAS A GOOD VIDEO.

IT WAS GREAT.

AND I RELATE TO EVERYTHING FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE.

AND NOW.

AND WE'RE HERE FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION I GREW UP WATCHING PUBLIC TELEVISION I WAS A PBS GIRLY AND EDUCATION IS AT THE HEART OF PUBLIC MEDIA.

THE CENTERPIECE OF ITS MISSION.

SO IT MAKES SENSE THAT MPT WOULD BE ACTING AS A CONVENER AND CATALYST TO SUPPORT MEDIA LITERACY FOR MARYLANDERS.

TO TELL US MORE LET ME INVITE THREE PEOPLE FROM MPT TO THE STAGE.

EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND STATION MANAGER STEVEN SHUPACK.

AARON CHEST THE DIRECTOR FOR MAJOR AND PLANNED GIVING AND BETSEY ON EDUCATION.

WELCOME.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

MPT HAS BEEN AN INSPIRING TEACHING AND LEARNING IN MARYLAND AND CLASSROOMS AND EARLY LEARNING CENTERS FOR MORE THAN 50ERS YAO.

AS A TRUSTED EDUCATION PARTNER, WE'VE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES THAT HARNESS THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER OF MEDIA TO SUPPORT RICH INSTRUCTION.

TODAY, OUR ROLE IS EXPANDING.

AS WE WITNESS THE OVERWHELMING INFLUENCES FROM OUR BUSY DIGITAL LIVES IT'S BECOME URGENT THAT WE TAKE ACTION.

AND YES WE ARE RESPONDING BY TAKING THE LEAD IN ESTABLISHING THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

OUR WORK FOCUSES ON BUILDING A NETWORK OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND AIMED AT REACHING ALL MARYLAND CITIZENS FROM YOUNG CHILDREN TO OLDER ADULTS.

ENHANCING MEDIA LITERACY SKILLINGS AND KNOWLEDGE ACROSS THE STATE.

OUR COMMITMENT INCLUDES RAISING AWARENESS THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNICATIONS, MESSAGING AND PROVIDING A ROBUST ON-LINE RESOURCE HUB FILLED WITH TIPS, TRAINING AND TOOLKITS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ALL OF YOU.

MANY OF OUR PARTNERS ARE HERE TODAY WITH US.

WE HAVE STATE LEGISLATORS, ESTEEMED ADVISERS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE STATE OFFICE OF DIGITAL EQUITY, MARYLAND LIBRARIES AND THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

ALL WHO STAND WITH US, COMMITTED TO MOVING THE NEEDLE IN BUILDING A MEDIA LITERATE MARYLAND.

>> BETSEY, YOU AND THE TEAM AT THE NEW CENTER HAVE ALREADY STARTED THIS IMPORTANT WORK.

MY ROLE IS TO ENFORCE MPT AUTO DEEP COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING ALL MARYLANDERS IN NAVIGATING OUR COMPLEX DIGITAL MEDIA LIVES.

WHILE COMMUNICATION ADVANCEMENTS PRESENT MANY ADVANTAGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, THEY ALSO INTRODUCE POTENTIAL HARMS.

THAT IS WHY MPT IS PUTTING ITS FULL WEIGHT BEHIND THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO INVESTING OUR RESOURCES AND PREPARED TO DRIVE THIS EFFORT AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE STATION ENSURING THAT WE EQUIP OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO DISCERN AND ENGAGE CRITICALLY WITH TODAY'S MEDIA.

>> AND OF COURSE, WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT SUPPORT.

WE ARE SO PLEASED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A VERY SPECIAL PHILANTHROPIST TODAY BETSEY SHERMAN AND THE SHERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION.

[APPLAUSE] BETSEY AND THE FOUNDATION IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED BOTH THE NEED AND THE VALUE OF MPT'S EFFORTS TO ADDRESS IT.

THE INITIAL FOCUS THANKS TO BETSEY AND THE SHERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION WILL BE ON EARLY LEARNERS AND SPECIFICALLY ADULTS WHO CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND FOSTER HEALTHY MEDIA HABITS FOR FAMILIES RIGHT FROM THE START.

AS WE LAY THIS GROUND WORK WE ARE EXCITED TO LEAD THIS VITAL WORK IN THE STATE BY SUPPORTING THE WELL-BEING AND INFORMED DECISION MAKING OF ALL MARYLANDERS.

>> THANKS, ERIN.

>> TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A MEDIA LITERATE SOCIETY.

EMPOWERED TO NAVIGATE THE DIGITAL WORLD, RESPONSIBLY AND SAFELY.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE JOURNEY WITH ALL OF YOU.

AND NOW, FRANK AND KELSEY BACK TO YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU ALL.

A LOT OF CONVERSATION HERE.

A LOT TO ABSORB.

>> A LOT.

>> WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR GUESTS AND THE VIDEO TESTIMONIALS AND REPORTS FROM STUDENTS.

FROM OUR CONTRIBUTORS OUR PANELISTS AND EVERYONE AGREES MEDIA LITERACY IS AN URGENT ISSUE THAT AFFECTS US ALL FROM TODDLERS TO GRANDPARENTS AND EVERYBODY IN-BETWEEN.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I'VE LEARNED A LOT IN THIS LAST HOUR ABOUT OUR CHALLENGES, THE MEDIA LITERACY IS URGENT ISSUE FOR OUR WELL-BEING AND OUR KNOWLEDGE AND MENTAL HEALTH.

AND WHERE THAT GOES.

>> I WOULD HAVE TO SAY I'M HAPPY WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

THAT IS PROBABLY THE BEST THING ABOUT ALL OF THIS.

AND THAT'S WHY MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION LEADERSHIP IS SO CRITICAL.

THE MARYLAND CENTER FOR MEDIA LITERACY AND EDUCATION WILL BE HERE TO SUPPORT ALL OF US WITH RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES, PARENTS, TEACHERS, SENIORS AND GEN ZERS LIKE MYSELF.

AND FRANK, I'M CURIOUS, YOU DO A LOT, YOU TEACH YOU LIVE IN THE WORLD WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE AWAY FOR YOUR STUDENTS?

>> MY STUDENTS AND MY THREE-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON.

THE STAKES THIS REALLY MATTERS.

IT AFFECTS US IN MANY, MANY WAYS.

THE TOOLS THERE IS A LOT OUT THERE.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT WE NEED TO ANSWER.

ASK AND ANSWER.

AND FINALITYLY THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE ALL HAVE CAPACITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

HOW ABOUT YOU, WHAT IS YOUR TAKEAWAY?

>> I HAVE TO TAKEAWAY WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE KNOW THERE'S CHALLENGES AND THIS IS A CHANCE FOR INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING.

IT'S NOT JUST OLDER GENERATIONS TELLING YOUNGER GENERATIONS IT'S US TO FIND THE SOLUTIONS ALTOGETHER.

>> YOU HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIENCE.

>> I DO.

>> 100,000.

>> YEAH.

>> HOW DO YOU CONVEY TO THEM, WHO ARE CONSUMING INFORMATION THROUGH YOU, WHERE THE GOOD STUFF AND THE BAD STUFF IS?

>> FIRST THING I SAY IS I'M NOT AN AUTHORITY.

I AM NOT A NEWSCHANNEL.

I AM SOMEBODY THAT LIKES TO SHARE WHERE TO FIND GOOD INFORMATION.

SO THE FIRST THING I SAY IS ASK WHY, WHY ARE YOU READING IT?

AND OTHER THING IS HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL?

IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL INFORMATION IS THERE TO BE COMMUNICATED THAT IS THE SECOND THING AND ALSO ALWAYS TALK ABOUT IT.

BRING IT TO PEOPLE, ASK PEOPLE YOU TRUST WHAT DO THEY THINK DO THEY SEE THE SAME THING.

IF THINGS ARE NOT ALIGNING LET THE SOURCE GO.

>> RECOGNIZE THE ALGORITHMS AND THE A.I.

AND RECOGNIZE THAT YOU MANAGE YOUR TECHNOLOGY NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> I LIKE THAT.

ALL RIGHT THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR FORUM TODAY.

THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WATCHING LIVE STREAM OUR STUDIOS AUDIENCE, GOVERNMENT, EDUCATIONAL LEADERS, STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN PARTICULAR, SPECIAL HUGE THANKS TO OUR PANELISTS, Dr. HARSH TRIVEDI AND ANNA GOMEZ COMMISSIONER OF THE F.C.C.

>> IT'S BEEN A SHOW.

>> IT'S BEEN A SHOW.

AND THANKS TO FIRST LADY DAWN MOORE OF MARYLAND FOR TAKING THE TIME TO INSPIRE US.

>> IT'S JUST A START.

>> IT'S JUST A START.

>> I'M FRANK SESNO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND PLEASE GO TO THE MARYLAND MEDIA LITERACY.ORG.

TO SIGN UP AND GET INVOLVED YOU WILL FIND TIPS AND RESOURCES TO KEEP YOU SAFE AAND INFORMED AND PROSIVE.

>> I'M KELSEY RUSSELL AND WE ARE SIGNING OFF FOR MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] [♪♪]