Prevent Child Abuse Vermont Celebrates Extraordinary ‘Champions for Children’ at Annual Award Ceremony

The PCAVT community came together on Monday, January 17, 2024 for a spectacular evening at the Annual Award Ceremony & Dinner, dedicated to honoring our "Champions for Children”; Representative Jessica Brumsted; Representative Carol Ode; Lisa Sylvester – Interrobang Design Collaborative, Richmond VT; Inc.,Chair Diane Lanpher; Chair Theresa Wood; Mark Sanderson; Pat Heffernan – President of Marketing Partners, Burlington VT; Steve Ribolini – S/R Services Inc.

The event was a resounding success, bringing together dedicated staff, esteemed board members, and our inspiring champions who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the well-being and future of our children.

The ambiance was filled with warmth and camaraderie as we celebrated the remarkable contributions of those who have gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of children in our community. From heartfelt speeches to heartfelt connections, the evening was a testament to the power of collective efforts in creating a brighter future for our youth.

As we reflect on this wonderful event, we are filled with gratitude for the passion and dedication exhibited by our champions. Their commitment to supporting a nurturing environment for children has truly set a standard for excellence in our community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and made this evening memorable.

Looking ahead, PCAVT is eager and optimistic about the future. The Annual Award Ceremony & Dinner served as a reminder of the incredible things that can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision. We are excited to build on this momentum, working collaboratively to create even more opportunities and support networks for our children.

From Left to Right: Kristina Von Trapp Frame – Chair, PCAVT Board of Directors, Lisa Sylvester – 2023 Champion for Children, Linda E. Johnson – Executive Director PCAVT

Attorney General Clark sues Meta for Instagram’s harm to teens’ mental health

Source: Vermont Business Magazine, Tue, 10/24/2023 - 14:49 -- tim

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark has sued Meta to hold the company accountable for its contribution to the mental health crisis that grips teens in America and Vermont. The lawsuit, which targets Instagram, alleges Meta designed Instagram to cause young people to use the platform compulsively and excessively. Meta did this to maximize the time young users spend on the platform in order to maximize the company’s advertising revenue. 

In addition to causing compulsive use, Instagram poses other serious mental health risks to youth, which Meta knows and continues to perpetuate. The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Clark is part of a coordinated national enforcement effort, of which Vermont is a leader, involving 42 attorneys general. 

The effort seeks to end Meta’s practice of addicting kids to harmful social media platforms and deceiving consumers about the platforms’ safety.

“Instagram’s harm to teens…is well-documented,” said Attorney General Clark, “But Meta has denied and downplayed these harmful impacts for continued profits. Meta knowingly designed and developed Instagram features to exploit teens’ vulnerabilities to maximize revenue. This is reprehensible and a violation of Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act. This lawsuit aims to hold Meta accountable.”

Meta owns and operates Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Horizon Worlds, and makes money primarily through advertising. 

The subject of today’s lawsuit, Instagram, is a highly sophisticated lure to draw consumers to advertisements. Because Meta generates revenue from Instagram by selling targeted advertising on the platform, Meta is incentivized to maximize the amount of time that Instagram users spend on the platform each day. 

The more time consumers spend on Instagram, the more advertising Meta can display to consumers and the more data Meta can collect about consumer’s personality and preferences to better target ads at them.

Meta profited by purposely making its platforms addictive to teens. Instagram’s algorithms push users into descending “rabbit holes” to maximize engagement. 

Meta designed features, like infinite scroll and numerous daily alerts, specifically to hook young users. These manipulative tactics continually lure teens back onto the platform, creating compulsive and excessive use.

Meta knew these addictive features harmed young people’s physical and mental health, including undermining their ability to get adequate sleep, but did not disclose the harm nor did they make meaningful changes to minimize the harm. Instead, they claimed their platforms were safe for young users.

Meta’s conduct is particularly egregious because Meta itself knows that Instagram exposes young users to a wide range of harmful content and harmful experiences, including negative social comparison, unwanted sexual advances, and bullying. 

Amid the mental health epidemic faced by American teens, Meta knowingly contributed to the crisis by designing its platform to exploit teens’ vulnerabilities and repeatedly expose teens to harmful content.

Attorney General Clark and the attorneys general in the following states have filed complaints in their respective state courts: the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah.

States joining a federal lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Florida is filing its own federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

A copy of the complaint can be found here.

Source: 10.24.2023. BURLINGTON, Vt. – Attorney General Charity Clark

Overdose Awareness - City Hall Park, Burlington

International Overdose Awareness Day: 31st August - International Overdose Awareness Day (overdoseday.com)

Flood damage causes PCAVT to pivot to online WALK for Children

Montpelier, VT (August 22.2023) – Due to the catastrophic flooding in downtown Montpelier, Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) is moving the 24th annual WALK for Children to an online event. Even though an in person gathering is not possible, the need continues. The fundraising goal for the event is $80,000.

 “The important work of protecting children and strengthening families must continue, especially during disaster recovery”, says PCAVT Development Director, Mary Rockwell Thon. “Many families are experiencing extra stress from the flooding, including family displacement and loss of work. PCAVT is continuing with family support and prevention work and preparing for fall outreach and trainings.”

 The offices of PCAVT in Montpelier were flooded along with the rest of downtown, and many of their materials were lost. Funding is needed to replace training materials, outreach supplies and family support publications, including the Vermont Parents Home Companion and Resource Directory. The loss of the location of the WALK for Children, the State House lawn and nearby sidewalks and parking lots was an additional blow. Supporters are still needed to register for the event and raise funds, walking in their own neighborhoods if they choose. Participants who reach fundraising milestones will still receive a t shirt and medal.

 Sponsors are still supportive of the event. Julia Birnn Fields, owner of Birnn Chocolates of Vermont states, "Our sponsorship for the WALK for Children is driven by our commitment to the cause, not just the event itself. While the shift to a virtual format due to flooding was unexpected, we are immensely grateful for the dedicated efforts of the organizers. Their adaptability in ensuring the event's continuity underscores our shared determination to promote and support healthy relationships and eliminate child abuse.”

 For more information and to register, visit pcavt.org/events, or call 1-800-CHILDREN.

 The mission of PCAVT is to promote and support healthy relationships within families, schools, and communities to eliminate child abuse.  Serving Vermont began as Parents Anonymous of VT in 1976 and has grown to have a helpline and 3 main programmatic areas: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention, Family Support Programs, and the Safe Environments for Infants and Toddlers Program.  PCAVT partners with over 250 organizations across Vermont, and many more both nationally and internationally. PCAVT’s programs are skills based, teaching adults how to nurture healthy development in children, and emphasize adult responsibility in keeping children safe.