In a groundbreaking move, Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills into law on Thursday that will bring significant changes for New York’s youngest social media users. These laws are aimed at regulating digital platforms’ algorithms and the use of children’s data, making New York the first state to pass such legislation.
The signing of these bills comes just days after US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on social media platforms, sparking a national debate on the potential impact of social media on users’ mental health, especially teens.
Under the SAFE For Kids Act, social media platforms will now be required to display content chronologically for users under 18, while the New York Child Data Protection Act will restrict websites from collecting or sharing personal data of users under 18 without their consent. These measures build upon existing federal privacy protections for children under 13.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of these laws at a press conference, stating, “Today, we save our children. We have heard their cries for help, reminding us as adults that we have a moral responsibility to protect young New Yorkers from harm and from addictive forces.”
New York officials have praised these laws as crucial checks on social media platforms’ influence over teens, while opponents have raised concerns about potential infringements on free speech. The legislation’s signing sets the stage for what is expected to be a series of court battles over state social media laws, with states like Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and others also passing similar regulations.
The impact of these laws on the tech industry and how social media platforms function across state lines remains to be seen, but Governor Hochul remains optimistic, stating, “We will save lives with this, my friends.”
