Committee on Children
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-208
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING SOCIAL MEDIA AND PARENTAL CONSENT.
Vote Date: 3/15/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/1/2022
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Committee on Children
CO-SPONSORS OF BILL:
Sen. Saud Anwar
Rep. Bill Buckbee
Rep. Tami Zawistowski
Rep. Christie M. Carpino
Rep. Tom Delnicki
REASONS FOR BILL:
S.B. 208 will require Internet operators to obtain parental consent before allowing a child
under sixteen years of age to open a social media account with the operator. This bill will
serve to protect children from the collection of personal information for websites or services
directed at children. This bill attempts to enforce the age requirement for children who are
trying to establish an online presence. This parental component provides an additional tool
through which children can be protected from online predators.
The substitute language for this bill indicates that when their parent makes a request for their
child's account to be deleted, the social media platform has 10 days to comply. Additionally,
every internet operator must provide a reasonable, accessible, and verifiable means by which
a parent can make such request. This substitute language addresses the fact that this bill will
not completely prevent children from opening social media accounts without parental
consent, however, it will grant parents the autonomy to file a request for deletion of such
account if they feel so compelled.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Acting Child Advocate of the Office of the Child Advocate, Sarah Healy Eagan, supports the
bill, agreeing that there are significant impacts from the unregulated social media industry on
children's behavioral health. OCA believes we must do more to protect the privacy and
mental health of children by enhancing online protections for children.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Representative from the Connecticut General Assembly, Christie Carpino, supports the bill.
Children already must navigate the expected pressures of young teenage years and are not
aware of the invasion of privacy that occurs when participating in social media. When parents
opt to grant a child permission to use social media, they can guide or monitor online presence
appropriately.
Representative from the Connecticut General Assembly, Tom O'Dea, supports this bill,
explaining that the internet has evolved since the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection
Act, and the law should reflect this "ever-changing environment and provide additional
protections."
Committee Educator of Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, Sarah Holmes, supports the bill.
The use of social media platforms have been correlated with mental health issues with
children and teens, including: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, irritability, and suicide
risk. Allowing greater parental monitoring on social media platforms will prevent abuse and
improve child protection.
Vice President of Government Relations of Connecticut Parent Teacher Association, Sarah
O'Dell, supports the bill. O'Dell states that children have developing brains and are typically
not yet ready for the challenges of good online citizenship. This bill will help them actively
engage with their child's online behavior.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
No opposition expressed.
Reported by: Molly Lukiwsky Date: 3/22/2022
Page 2 of 2 SB-208