Printer Friendly Version - Attorney General Tong and Rep. Zullo Honor Max Parisi at East Haven Social Media Forum

Max Parisi, an East Haven 5th-grader who is a Connecticut Kid Governor Cabinet member, was honored by Attorney General William Tong and State Representative Joe Zullo for his leadership in sharing safety tips for social media use with his peers. Pictured are Zullo, Parisi, and Tong. Photo courtesy of Connecticut House Republicans

On April 17, Kid Governor Cabinet member Max Parisi was honored by Attorney General William Tong and State Representative Joe Zullo for his leadership in sharing safety tips for social media use with his peers. Parisi, who is a 5th-grader at the East Haven Academy, led a class discussion with Attorney General Tong and Rep. Zullo on ways to safely navigate the internet and how our state is responding to concerns.

During the Connecticut Kid Governor elections in January, Parisi campaigned on the importance of practicing online safety and cybersecurity in our modern world. Parisi was elected as a member of the Kid Governor’s Cabinet for his work in organizing previous internet safety forums and his passion for youth safety.

“I wanted to help my friends and classmates be safe online,” said Parisi during the forum. “It’s important to keep your information private and to be aware of the dangers in using social media.”

Last October, Tong joined 42 attorney generals in filing a lawsuit against social media giant Meta, alleging that the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict children and teens. Following this, Tong has hosted other social media forums, sharing his concerns and surveying local students throughout the state.

“I am so proud of Max Parisi for standing up for kids across Connecticut and sharing his powerful message to keep kids safe online,” said Tong. “Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram knowingly allowed our kids access to highly addictive platforms riddled with harmful messages, with severe consequences for youth safety and mental health. Hearing directly from Connecticut kids about their experiences online informs our efforts to hold these companies accountable. I thank Rep. Zullo for partnering with me today on this forum.”

Earlier this year, Zullo invited Tong to East Haven to recognize Parisi for his efforts and to co-host a student forum on practicing smart social media use. In his remarks, Zullo acknowledged how society has since changed from when he was an East Haven 5th-grader and what he recommends families can do to ensure safety and positivity online.

“Alongside the safety tips discussed today, we must always remember to be kind,” said Zullo. “I am proud of Max for setting a great example today, and I challenge all our students to follow his lead. Whether it’s promoting safety, serving our community, or completing a simple random act of kindness, together we can establish meaningful relationships and positive change throughout Connecticut.”

Parisi was granted an official legislative citation signed by members of the Connecticut General Assembly and supported by the East Haven delegation that includes House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, State Senator Paul Cicarella, State Senator Christine Cohen, and State Rep. Zullo. Both Tong and Zullo extend their gratitude to the hardworking teachers and staff of the East Haven Academy, as well as the work of the Connecticut Kid Governor program.