James Talarico

And again, this is the work I did at the state level that I think we can build on at the federal level.

I was the co-author of the bill that banned smartphones in our public schools here in Texas.

I was the co-author of a bill that didn't end up passing, but it would have adopted Australia's policy banning algorithmic social media for people under 18.

And I would be very interested in fighting for those kind of policies at the federal level.

I'd also be really interested in how we go after big tech.

And you mentioned liability.

These tech companies were always able to hide behind the First Amendment.

They were always able to say, well, we're just the town square.

We're not promoting any speech.

That is not true in a world of algorithmic social media.

These algorithms absolutely promote and elevate certain kinds of speech over others.

And it's usually the most radicalizing content.

It's the content that will get the most clicks.

Yeah, most incendiary.

And so I think they need to be held accountable for that content.

And the biggest tell in my mind is that the billionaires who run these algorithms don't let their own kids use the product.

And so why on earth would we subject our kids, the kids of America, to these predatory algorithms when the billionaires themselves don't even let their own kids on the platforms?

I saw- It's not just young men.

Well, one, I'm a proud Texas Democrat, but I already have a religion and I already have a sports team, Hook'em Horns, since we're here in Austin, Texas.

So I have no problem sharing hard truths with my own party.