Blumenthal, Maroney criticize Meta over child safety failures
Two Connecticut lawmakers – one federal, one state – are calling for stronger government regulation of social media platforms in response to reports that Meta’s AI-powered chatbots on Facebook and Instagram are engaging in sexually explicit conversations with children.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal expressed his concerns about social media AI chatbots having explicit conversations with children, often using the voices of celebrities and fictional characters. He emphasized the need for solutions to address these issues without completely banning AI.
Speaking at a media briefing at the state Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Blumenthal stated, “There are solutions. We are not bereft of agency here. They can be imposed without banning AI.”
State Senator James Maroney commended Senator Blumenthal for his efforts to advocate for consumer guardrails in Washington, D.C. He urged others to join the push for similar protections in Connecticut.
Blumenthal’s bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, co-sponsored by Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, aims to require social media platforms to implement the strongest privacy settings by default. It also seeks to provide parents and educators with new controls to enhance child protection measures.
