Senator Tony Hwang Supports HB 6857 to Protect Minors from Harmful Social Media Algorithms

Hartford, CT – Senator Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) released the following statement in support of HB 6857, An Act Concerning the Attorney General’s Recommendations Regarding Social Media and Minors, a bill aimed at protecting Connecticut’s youth from the harmful effects of social media algorithms. In his testimony before the General Law Committee, Senator Hwang emphasized the importance of safeguarding the mental health of young people while urging caution to ensure that First Amendment protections and the rights of technology companies are carefully considered.

“Social media platforms are intentionally designed to keep young people engaged for extended periods, often to the detriment of their mental health and self-esteem,” Senator Hwang said. “HB 6857 is a critical step in protecting our children from the harmful effects of social media algorithms, but we must strike a careful balance between protecting minors and respecting free expression.”

The bill aims to empower parents by giving them more control over their children’s social media use, such as limiting app access during school hours or late at night. It also seeks to address the use of personalized algorithms that target minors without parental consent, a concern highlighted in the 2023 lawsuit filed by Connecticut and 32 other states against Meta Platforms Inc. The lawsuit exposed how these algorithms foster dependency and addiction among young users, leading to negative mental health outcomes.

While Senator Hwang supports the bill’s objective, he also called for careful consideration of its potential impacts on technological innovation and the First Amendment rights of social media companies. He stressed that any legislation must be carefully structured, with robust age verification protocols to ensure the bill’s effectiveness and to prevent unintended consequences.

“Connecticut has the opportunity to take the lead in protecting our children from the adverse effects of social media,” Hwang said. “We must be proactive in addressing this issue while ensuring that any action we take is thoughtful, effective, and legally sound.”

Senator Hwang urged his colleagues to support HB 6857, while ensuring that proper safeguards are in place to protect both children’s well-being and the rights of businesses.