Albany, NY – In a move to protect children from the potential harmful effects of social
media, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed two new laws aimed at making social
media platforms less “addictive” for minors.
The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act requires social media platforms
and app stores to obtain parental consent before allowing children under 18 to use apps
with algorithmic recommendations. Additionally, the law prohibits apps from sending
notifications to child or teenage users between midnight and 6am.
The New York Child Data Protection Act limits the amount of personal data that app
providers can collect from their young users.
According to Governor Hochul, the laws aim to “provide a safer digital environment, give
parents more peace of mind, and create a brighter future for young people across New York”.
However, some researchers and experts have raised questions about the science linking
social media to mental health problems in children, citing studies that show social media
can have benefits for teenagers’ mental health. Additionally, some have expressed
concerns about the enforceability of the laws.
Part of Growing Trend to Regulate Social Media
The laws are part of a growing trend to regulate social media to protect children, with US
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently calling for warning labels on social media apps.
While the laws aim to address concerns over social media’s impact on mental health,
critics see it as a “moral panic” that may not address the real hazards of social media.
