Watch | ‘Connecticut legislators propose bill limiting childhood social media use’ (News 8)

Story from News 8:

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) and a bipartisan group of state legislators are pushing for stricter controls on the use of social media by children.

The push is part of an effort from both red and blue states to try to respond to a mental health crisis that has impacted younger generations.

“We’re doing everything we can to protect your kid and give parents some additional tools to protect their kids,” Lamont said.

The goal of the bill, which was rolled out on Wednesday, is to give parents more tools in the fight to keep their kids from getting hooked on social media apps, like Instagram and TikTok.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said this begins with making sure any minors who want to make accounts for these apps get a parent’s approval first.

Another provision would limit the time spent scrolling on social media, with a default of one hour per day, according to Tong.

Other settings include provisions related to privacy.

Tong said the responsibility would fall on the companies themselves to enforce these proposed rules, meaning that they’d be liable for any violations if the bill is signed into law.

Widespread belief, bolstered by research and reports by big tech whistleblowers, that social media companies are aware of the fact that their products are addictive and harmful to children has widely driven the legislation.

Tong asks lawmakers to pass bill ramping up enforcement of Connecticut smoke shops
Big tech firms strongly dispute claims that their products deliberately harm children and are expected to mount a serious defense against the bill proposed on Wednesday.

While the technology industry is expected to oppose this legislation, both sides of the aisle have supported similar bills in the past and are ready to do it again this year. One unifying factor across party lines is that the key lawmakers on the committee regulating technology firms are parents themselves and have a firsthand look into what many experts describe as a crisis.

“It’s about people, it’s about our constituents, it’s about our friends’ children,” state Sen. James Maroney (D-Conn.) said.

Legislators are scheduled to come back into session next Wednesday.