In an era dominated by digital connectivity, concerns about children's safety and privacy on social media have sparked legislative action in New York and other states in the United States.
These state-level initiatives underscore a bipartisan commitment to safeguarding children online, highlighting New York's proactive stance in navigating the complex intersection of technology and youth protection.
In this photo illustration, a teenager uses her mobile phone to access social media on January 31, 2024 in New York City. (Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
New York Banning Addictive Social Media Feeds for Teens
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed two bills into law that aim to protect children and teenagers from potential harms associated with social media.
Known as the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, the first mandates parental consent for social media platforms to employ "addictive feeds" driven by recommendation algorithms for users under 18.
This legislation seeks to mitigate the impact of continuous, algorithm-driven content consumption on young users. The New York Child Data Protection Act, which addresses concerns about data privacy by limiting the collection of minors' data without explicit parental consent, was also signed into law.
It will also restrict the sale of such information, although it does not mandate age verification. These measures come amid ongoing federal discussions on similar proposals, positioning New York as a proactive state in protecting youth from potential online risks.
The Child Data Protection Act will take effect in a year. States nationwide are leading efforts to implement internet safety legislation for children, which is a rare bipartisan consensus emerging in the political landscape.
While Republican and Democrat approaches vary, policymakers share a common urgency in enacting regulations to safeguard children online. In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted a law requiring parental consent for children under 16 to create social media accounts.
In May, Maryland, Governor Wes Moore signed comprehensive data privacy legislation. The state implemented the Kids Code, prohibiting features designed to prolong minors' engagement on social media, such as autoplay and excessive notifications.
Despite differing partisan strategies, these actions reflect a growing recognition of the need to protect young internet users across state lines.
Challenges in Balancing State, Federal Internet Safety Laws
Despite the introduction of well-received proposals like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) at the federal level, these measures have not yet advanced to floor votes.
Opposition from groups concerned about potential impacts on resources for underrepresented communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, has slowed their progress. In response to federal delays, states have taken the initiative to implement their own regulations, resulting in diverse laws across the country.
Industry leaders argued that this regulatory patchwork poses challenges for smaller players, making it difficult to navigate and comply with varying standards. Hochul expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a federal resolution during a recent press conference preceding the signing ceremony.
The sponsors of New York's SAFE for Kids Act outlined its objectives to safeguard children's mental health from the impact of addictive social media feeds and disrupted sleep caused by late-night social media use.
Alongside restrictions on algorithms, the legislation prohibits platforms from sending notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. without parental consent.
The bill mandates the attorney general's office to establish suitable age verification methods, stipulating that these methods cannot exclusively rely on biometrics or government-issued identification.
The law will take effect 180 days after New York's attorney general formulates regulations. It will enable the state to fine non-compliant companies up to $5,000 per violation.
