In a historic move to protect children from the harmful effects of social media, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, along with Attorney General Letitia James and bill sponsors Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, announced the signing of two groundbreaking bills.
These bills, known as the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act, will establish the nation’s most stringent regulations aimed at safeguarding the mental health and privacy of young social media users.
The SAFE for Kids Act addresses the growing concern over addictive algorithm-driven feeds that promote prolonged and unhealthy engagement among children and teenagers. Research has shown that excessive use of social media is linked to poor mental health outcomes, including increased rates of depression and anxiety among adolescents. According to a U.S. Surgeon General advisory, adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media are at double the risk of experiencing these negative mental health effects.
Attorney General Letitia James emphasized the critical nature of this legislation: “Addictive feeds are getting our kids hooked on social media and hurting their mental health, and families are counting on us to help address this crisis. The legislation signed by Governor Hochul today will make New York the national leader in addressing the youth mental health crisis and an example for other states to follow.”
Governor Hochul echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures: “Young people across the nation are facing a mental health crisis fueled by addictive social media feeds – and New York is leading the way with a new model for addressing the crisis and protecting our kids. By reining in addictive feeds and shielding kids’ data, we’ll provide a safer digital environment, give parents more peace of mind, and create a brighter future for young people across New York.”
The SAFE for Kids Act will require social media companies to implement restrictions on addictive feeds for users under 18. This means that unless parental consent is explicitly provided, minors will not receive content pushed by algorithms designed to maximize engagement.
Instead, young users will be able to search for specific topics of interest or subscribe to content creators without being exposed to the potentially harmful effects of algorithmically driven feeds. Additionally, the law prohibits social media platforms from sending notifications related to addictive feeds to minors between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. without parental consent.
The New York Child Data Protection Act complements the SAFE for Kids Act by focusing on the privacy and data security of young users. This legislation will prevent online platforms from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of individuals under the age of 18 without informed consent unless it is strictly necessary for the operation of the website. This measure aims to curb the exploitation of minors’ data by tech companies for commercial gain.
Senator Andrew Gounardes, one of the bill sponsors, stated, “New York is sending a clear message to Big Tech: your profits are not more important than our kids’ privacy and wellbeing. As a father of two young kids, this victory is personal, and I am particularly grateful to the young people, parents, educators, and organizations from across the state who stood up to some of the most powerful companies in the world and demanded a safer digital world.”
Assemblymember Nily Rozic, who co-sponsored the bills, remarked on the long overdue update to child online privacy laws: “Over two decades after child online privacy laws were last updated, the signing of these bills into laws signals that New York is taking the lead in putting New Yorkers’ safety and privacy at the forefront. We are taking decisive action to protect our kids from the harmful influence of addictive algorithms and unchecked data collection by enacting the SAFE for Kids Act and the NY Child Data Protection Act.”
The legislation is a result of collaborative efforts between various stakeholders, including union leaders, advocates, parents, and children, according to an advisory issued by the U.S. Surgeon General, all of whom played a crucial role in advancing these bills during the legislative session. The enforcement of these new laws will be overseen by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), which is authorized to bring actions against violators and seek civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.
Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, praised the new laws: “New York is standing up for our kids by taking on the tech companies and requiring heightened privacy for our children as well as greater protection from the addictive and predatory features of social media platforms.”
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The introduction and signing of these bills represent a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to address social media’s adverse impacts on youth mental health and privacy. The legislation aims not only to protect young New Yorkers but also to set a precedent for other states to follow in prioritizing the well-being of children over the profits of tech giants.
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