New York passes laws to protect children from social media

Two new laws have been passed in New York to protect children from social media. One law requires parental consent for anyone under 18 using the platforms, while the other prevents tech companies from storing personal information.

Social media apps are responsible for turning “happy kids into depressed teens” according to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who pushed for the new laws.

– Young people across the nation are facing a mental health crisis fueled by addictive social media feeds – and New York is leading the way with a new model for addressing the crisis and protecting our kids, she said in a press release.

One law, the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, means that all social media platforms and apps will require parental consent before children under 18 can use them. The law aims to limit “addictive feeds” that are generated by the platforms’ algorithms. It will also prevent apps from sending messages to children and teens between midnight and 6 a.m.

The second law, the New York Child Data Protection Act, will restrict platforms from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18 unless they have obtained informed consent or it is strictly necessary for the purpose of the site.

– By reining in addictive feeds and shielding kids’ personal data, we’ll provide a safer digital environment, give parents more peace of mind, and create a brighter future for young people across New York, the Governor said.

The new laws will go into effect in 2025.