Democrats plan to revive a proposal to give parents greater control over how children use social media.  

“If they don’t like what we’re going to protect the kids, what is your plan to protect the kids?” Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Connecticut) said. “Otherwise, we’ll keep going with this.”  

Leaders of the legislature’s General Law Committee joined Lamont for a press conference at the Capitol, saying they’ll introduce the bill once the legislative session starts on Feb. 4.  

The bill would require parental approval before anyone under 18 years old can open a social media account.  

Additionally, parents would need to approve the content children can view, set time limits for usage, and decide whether their accounts are public. 

Attorney General William Tong (D-Connecticut) said the law would require parents to opt in to ensure they give consent.  

That means social media platforms can’t, for example, make a minor’s account public as a default setting.  

Lastly, the bill would prohibit social media companies from sending push notifications to children between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. 

“What this specifically does is highlight a very vulnerable population and says there needs to be protections in place,” Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven) said. “Children need to have these protections. 

Lemar said social media can be a valuable resource, but he wants to safeguard children against potential harm.  

Some experts have been raising concerns that social media platforms can become addictive, especially since they allow users to scroll content endlessly.  

Those experts have also warned about increased risks of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among children and teenagers.  

“They’re still children, and they’re still vulnerable in how they’re developing those individual identities,” Connecticut Children’s pediatrician Dr. Robert Keder said. “They are subject to things like FOMO, or fear of missing out, or influencing body image.”  

Tech companies pushed back against the bill last year, saying they’re already putting tools in place for parents.  

Instagram, for example, announced a teen-friendly version of its app in October, with more age-appropriate content.  

Christopher Gilrein, executive director with the lobbying firm Technet, said last year that “the industry has a longstanding commitment to provide parents and guardians with resources to help ensure a safe online experience for their children, and the industry has been at the forefront of educating parents and guardians about safety.”  

Last year’s version received a 121-26 vote in the House, but the Senate failed to raise it for debate before the session ended.  

A few Republicans raised concerns about whether the state could enforce the bill.  

One of those Republicans, Rep. Lezlye Zupkus (R-Prostect), said she’ll need to review this year’s bill, but she supports the concept.  

“We need to look at what our kids are looking at and what is age-appropriate for them and what they should be doing,” she said

WESTBROOK (WGME) — As federal ICE operations intensify across Maine, many in immigrant communities are reportedly staying home from work and school and even from public spaces like grocery stores or food pantries.

In response, several food pantries and nonprofits are stepping up to fill the gap.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 200 people have been arrested by ICE in Maine over the past week and a half. This has led to a significant decline in attendance at food pantries across the state, as many people are too fearful to leave their homes.

“The asylum seekers here in the area are scared and they’re hunkering down. They’re not coming out,” Saco Food Pantry Board Member Sheldon Nightingale said.

The Saco Food Pantry typically provides food to nearly 1,000 people in the community monthly.

“Our immigrant community is not coming out right now. We have partnered with a couple of organizations to help out, if need be,” Nightingale said.

Several food pantries in Lewiston are also delivering food to those too afraid to leave home.

“Our business is to give out food and to help people who are in need and food insecure, and we intend to do that anyway we can,” Nightingale said.

In Westbrook, one business is working to ensure no one goes hungry.

“Right now, that’s taking donations to help feed families that are concerned about the ICE presence here in Westbrook,” The Daily Grind Senior Barista Mackenzie Bearor said.

State Rep. Sue Salisbury of Westbrook and her husband Joe are feeding families through their mobile food pantry and raising money at their coffee shop, The Daily Grind.

They report having helped more than 100 families since the ICE surge in Maine.

“People are afraid to leave their homes, so we are just trying to make sure they stay fed and get the food that they need,” Bearor said.

Pantry officials urge anyone in need of food to contact their local food pantry.