(The Center Square) — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is putting social media companies “on notice” that new regulations limiting teens’ access to “addictive” features on their platforms are now in effect.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in New York City, Hochul said her administration is planning to crackdown on Meta, Instagram and other social media giants as she rolled out final regulations to enforce New York’s Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation or Kids Act, which was signed by the governor more than two years ago.
The law prohibits social media platforms from providing “addictive” algorithmic feeds to users under 18 without parental consent. It also bans companies from sending notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. without parental consent.
“Social media companies, you’re now on notice,” Hochul said in remarks Tuesday. “The regulations are done. You have 180 days to come into compliance.”
Hochul was joined by Attorney General Letitia James, who said her office is getting ready to enforce the new rules to “keep kids safe” online.
“These rules set standards for age verification and parental control to ensure tech companies are doing their part to keep kids safe on their platforms,” James, a Democrat, said.
Common Sense Media Founder and CEO Jim Steyer was among those who praised the new regulations to implement and enforce the SAFE Act, saying they have “the potential to be a transformative step forward in protecting children from the addictive design features of social media.”
“New York is setting a national standard for protecting kids online by focusing on curbing addictive social media feeds and limiting late-night notifications that disrupt children’s sleep and well-being. There is more work to do to protect kids from the risks of AI and social media, but this law and its final rules are groundbreaking.”
Mothers Against Media Addiction Founder and Executive Director Julie Scelfo called the new law the “strongest” in the nation “to protect children online by ensuring they are not exposed to the addictive algorithms running rampant on social media platforms.”
“These new rules are an important and essential step in the enforcement of this landmark legislation and provide a pathway for other states to follow,” she said in a statement.
Social media companies are increasingly being blamed for the rising rates of depression, suicidality and other mental health issues among youth nationally. Algorithmic feeds and nighttime notifications are tied to depression, anxiety, eating and sleep disorders, and other mental health issues among children and teenagers, recent studies have found.
In response, Congress, the states and local governments are increasingly considering legislation and legal action to crack down on social media use.
New York is among a handful of states — including Minnesota, Texas and Colorado — to use social media “warning labels” as a way to wean youth off the websites and improve mental health.
“Today, we’re sending a clear message: our kids’ mental health isn’t for sale,” Hochul said. “We promised action and the SAFE for Kids Act is delivering by ensuring that any platform that targets our children with addictive feeds will face legal consequences. Instead of clicking and scrolling, our kids will be learning and growing.”
