Governor Kathy Hochul Signs Bill Banning Addictive Social Media Feeds for Kids

On Thursday, June 20, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the “SAFE for Kids Act,” a landmark legislation designed to protect children and teens from addictive social media feeds. This first-in-the-nation law aims to curb the influence of algorithms used by platforms like TikTok and Instagram that keep young users glued to their screens, thereby profiting from their data.

Speaking at the United Federation of Teachers union headquarters in Manhattan, Hochul declared, “We will save lives with this, my friends. Our kids will not be commoditized. We will not let them make money off our kids, our babies, anymore.” 

The legislation represents a significant step in a broader initiative to address the negative impacts of technology on young people’s mental health.

The SAFE for Kids Act includes several key measures:

• Prohibiting social media platforms from using algorithms to feed content to users under 18 designed to keep them engaged.
• Allowing parents to pause notifications on their children’s social media accounts between midnight and 6 a.m.
• Barring social media companies from selling data generated by users under 18.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who will be responsible for crafting the enforcement details of the law, emphasized her commitment to defending it in court. “As most of you know, Tish James loves litigation and Tish James is not afraid to stand up to any bully,” she said.

The bill’s passage comes amid increasing concerns about the harmful effects of social media on youth. Governor Hochul highlighted the distress faced by children due to addictive social media algorithms. “Our kids are in distress,” she stated. “They’re not living carefree lives because they are being held captive to powerful forces outside their own control.”

Despite its aims, the legislation faces potential legal challenges from Big Tech companies. Critics argue that the law could violate the First Amendment by imposing restrictions on free speech and information access. Tech advocates have also raised concerns about practical issues such as age verification and the specifics of content moderation.

The new law will take effect 180 days after Attorney General James finalizes the rules and regulations. Non-compliant social media platforms could face fines of up to $5,000 per violation.

This development is part of a broader movement to address the impact of social media on young people. The United States Surgeon General recently suggested that social media platforms should carry warning labels similar to those for addictive products like cigarettes. Governor Hochul hopes other states will follow New York’s lead, stating, “Congress can and should act. But until such time, we’ll lead the nation.”