In a significant move to safeguard young users, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed two pivotal bills into law aimed at protecting children from the potential harms of social media.
These new legislations, namely the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act, are set to usher in a new era of digital safety for minors.
The SAFE for Kids Act mandates that social media platforms, such as Facebook and X, restrict algorithmically driven feeds for users under the age of 18. The intent is to prevent “unhealthy levels of engagement” by curbing addictive content that can negatively impact young minds.
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This measure requires social media companies to implement features that limit the exposure of minors to such feeds and necessitate parental consent for access.
Complementing the SAFE for Kids Act, the New York Child Data Protection Act focuses on the collection, sharing, and selling of personal data of minors.
This law ensures that online platforms and devices cannot exploit the personal information of users under 18 without explicit parental consent. The act aims to create a safer digital environment for children by bolstering data protection.
Governor Hochul emphasized that these laws will “provide a safer digital environment, give parents more peace of mind, and create a brighter future for young people across New York.”
The new regulations align with similar initiatives across the United States, including California’s recent legislative efforts to limit social media notifications for minors during school hours and overnight.
These measures reflect a growing recognition of the mental health challenges posed by social media and the need for protective policies.
