Vermont
Vermont Kids Code pushes for internet safety
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Pending legislation aims to keep kids safe and protect their privacy online.
The Vermont Kids Code, a bill brought to the house and senate, mirrors initiatives taken by many other states in the country. It would ensure that companies are designed to keep children’s best interests in mind.
The bill would limit the collection of kids’ data, prohibit profiling kids, stop persuasive designs, and put all default settings on high privacy. It also says companies must mitigate foreseeable risks and ensure there aren’t features challenging kids’ well-being. The lawmakers say consumers wouldn’t notice a difference with these features added.
Bill sponsors Senator Kesha Ram-Hinsdale and Representative Monique Priestley say ideally, there would be federal regulation about the internet.
Samantha Rivera is a nanny for two kids and says they find a good balance between using websites like YouTube for education and entertainment, but also keeping track of what else pops up.
“There’s some things that pop up that look kid-friendly, and it ends up being very violent,” she said.
It’s tricky areas like this and targeted advertisements that make a lack of privacy online a concern for some.
Senator Kesha Ram-Hinsdale, who has co-sponsored the legislation, says that she would create effective regulation.
“We are accelerating into a very new digital reality. And in the past, when we were young, I think we essentially missed the window to regulate in a way that was effective,” Ram-Hinsdale said.
Lawmakers have noted that the UK has recently implemented similar laws. As a result, YouTube turned off autoplay, Google has SafeSearch on default for users under 18, and Instagram and TikTok both disabled messaging between children and adult strangers.
“These are companies and entities that know how to protect people if that’s requested,” said Ram-Hinsdale.
The internet and social media can impact kids both positively and negatively, according to child psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Schlozman.
“We do know from advertising, a little bit on the internet and more so in other forms of media, that this stuff reaches kids, that this stuff changes kids’ behavior,” Schlozman said.
He notes that historically and now, we have always been a step behind the technology we create because of how rapidly it changes.
“It’s very hard to keep kids off the internet. So we have to be wary of what laws we make, even if we’re putting the onus on the platform developers as opposed to the kids, it’s still very hard to enforce those laws,” he said.
While federal and state officials look to internet regulation, Schlozman says parents have to do the work with their children, discussing screen time and the responsibilities that go with having access to the internet.
“The Kids Code is actually really trying to preserve, it’s really cutting down the middle, saying let’s turn on failsafe rather than not having it on. You can still bypass them, but you’ve got to take a beat to think about it, taking a beat allows your frontal lobe and get involved. If your frontal lobe gets involved, then you’re not acting like an impulsive teenager anymore. You’re acting like a thoughtful teenager,” Scholzman said.
The legislation comes just after a lawsuit to sue Meta for intentionally designing addictive and harmful products. It was filed by Vermont’s attorney general as well as 40 other states.
Related stories:
New legislation aims to keep Vermont kids safe online
Welch calls on tech CEOs to protect children online
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Vermont Coverts is offering a free event to help woodland owners plan for the future of their forestland, according to a community announcement.
The event is scheduled for Jan. 26 at Pierson Library in Shelburne, according to the announcement from Vermont Coverts, a nonprofit.
The event is meant to help landowners and their families navigate the complex process of succession planning, especially when it comes to passing on land. Participants will have the opportunity to meet one on one with land managers, conservationists, financial advisors and estate planning professionals to get answers to their questions.
Succession planning can be a daunting task, but the nonprofit says it is an important step for families who want to ensure their land is managed according to their wishes.
The pop-up event is intended to make the process less overwhelming by bringing experts in and letting folks rotate between them to ask questions.
All participants will receive a copy of “For the Future of Your Forest: A Guide to Woodland Legacy Planning,” a guidebook produced by the Vermont Woodlands Association and Vermont Coverts.
The program is scheduled to occur in two sessions: 3-5 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26.
Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. To register, contact the library at 802-985-5124 and specify which session you’d like to attend.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
MONDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Girls basketball
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
Winooski at Stowe, 6 p.m.
Lyndon at North Country, 6:30 p.m.
Lamoille at Spaulding
Thetford at Harwood
Watch Vermont high school games on NFHS Network
Middlebury at Vergennes
South Burlington at Burlington
Champlain Valley at Mount Mansfield
Richford at Missisquoi
Rice at BFA-St. Albans, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY’S H.S. GAMES
Boys basketball
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
Spaulding at Lyndon, 6:30 p.m.
Montpelier at North Country, 6:30 p.m.
Rutland at St. Johnsbury
Rice at South Burlington
Hazen at Lake Region
Essex at Colchester
RIchford at Williamstown
U-32 at Harwood
Northfield at Twinfield/Cabot
BFA-St. Albans at Champlain Valley
Middlebury at Vergennes
Randolph at Thetford
Enosburg at Missisquoi
Oxbow at Stowe
Mount Mansfield at Burlington, 7:30 p.m.
Blue Mountain at Danville, 7:30 p.m.
(Subject to change)
Welcome to the sixth installment of the 2025-26 winter season for the Delta Dental Vermont Varsity Insider Athletes of the Week voting by high school sports fans.
This week, and every week during the sports seasons, members of the public may vote for a top girls athlete and a top boys athlete. And since last year, we added to the list of weekly nominees: There are now two stories, one for girls and one for boys, with more athletes on each ballot.
How do I cast my vote?
All voting is through the ballots at burlingtonfreepress.com. We will not accept votes through email or through social media.
Voting began Monday, Jan. 19, and continues through 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan 22.
How do we learn who wins?
The winners will be announced in a story published at burlingtonfreepress.com on Friday, Jan. 23.
May I nominate a deserving athlete for a future ballot?
Yes. Please nominate a Vermont high school athlete by sending an email to sports@burlingtonfreepress.com (Subject Line: Athletes of the Week nomination). Additionally, please include the athlete’s school, sport and any relevant details from that week’s games in the email.
Boys Athlete of the Week nominees
Alex Chagnon, South Burlington hockey: After a 26-save performance in a 5-3 win over Essex, Chagnon pitched a shutout with 23 stops as the Wolves blanked BFA-St. Albans.
Max Demaine, Lake Region wrestling: Demaine had the weekend’s fastest pin and won the 175-pound division at the Michael J. Baker Wrestling Classic at Essex on Jan. 17.
Cahota Lafond, Colchester wrestling: The senior reached 200 career wins and claimed the 126-pound division at the Michael J. Baker Wrestling Classic at Essex.
Camden Leno, U-32 hockey: The sophomore registered a goal and four assists in a 9-1 win over Rutland and had a pair of tallies in a 7-2 decision over Stowe.
Steele Nelson, Harwood basketball: After tallying 24 points, 15 rebounds and two steals in a 60-50 win over Montpelier, Nelson racked up 30 points and 10 rebounds in a 62-44 decision over Spaulding.
Ethan Whalen, Rutland basketball: After a 19-point outing in a 62-42 victory over Middlebury, Whalen dropped 20 points as Rutland bested South Burlington 61-45.
Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
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