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In a significant move to safeguard young internet users, New York state lawmakers approved legislation on Friday that restricts social media platforms from exposing users under 18 to addictive algorithmic content without parental consent. This step follows a broader trend among states to mitigate online risks for children.
Alongside this measure, a companion bill restricting online sites from collecting and selling the personal data of underage users also gained final approval in the New York Assembly, following a successful passage through the state Senate. Both bills are expected to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Governor Hochul praised these legislative advancements, calling them a “historic step forward in our efforts to address the youth mental health crisis and create a safer digital environment for young people.”
These regulations could impact social media giants like Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram. Supporters of the legislation cited a Harvard University study showing that the six largest social media platforms earned $11 billion from advertising to minors in 2022.
Proponents of the bills also referenced studies that link excessive social media use to higher rates of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and other mental health issues among adolescents.
However, the industry association NetChoice criticized the legislation, labeling it an “assault on free speech and the open internet” by necessitating websites to verify the age of visitors to avoid censorship. NetChoice noted its successful legal challenges to similar measures in other states on constitutional grounds.
A spokesperson for Governor Hochul clarified that the law would not censor site content, but instead, it provides various age-verification methods to maintain user anonymity.
Meta, while not fully agreeing with all aspects of the bills, expressed support for New York’s initiative to recognize the responsibility of app stores.
The SAFE (Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation) for Kids Act requires social media users under 18 to obtain parental consent to view addictive feeds—content from accounts they do not follow but are presented by algorithms designed to maximize engagement. Under this law, minors will receive chronological feeds from accounts they follow or from generally popular content, mimicking the earlier, less addictive algorithms of social media platforms.
The companion bill, the New York Child Data Protection Act, prevents all online sites from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of users under 18 without “informed consent.” For those under 13, parental consent is required. Violations could result in civil damages or penalties of up to $5,000 per infraction.
This legislation aligns New York with states like Utah, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, and Florida, which have enacted similar laws regulating children’s access to social media. As New York steps up its efforts to protect young digital users, it sets a precedent for other states to follow.
