New York has passed groundbreaking legislation aimed at banning ‘addictive’ social media algorithms for users under 18. The bill, expected to be signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, seeks to protect children’s mental health by altering how social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram serve content to minors.
Key Takeaways
- New York Legislature passes bill to ban ‘addictive’ social media algorithms for children.
- Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the bill into law.
- The bill mandates reverse-chronological feeds for users under 18.
- Violations could result in fines up to $5,000 per affected user.
- The bill has bipartisan support but faces potential legal challenges.
The SAFE for Kids Act
The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act aims to prohibit social media platforms from using recommendation algorithms to serve content to users under 18. Instead, these platforms will be required to provide reverse-chronological feeds, which display posts in the order they were published rather than based on user data.
The legislation defines an ‘addictive feed’ as one that recommends, selects, or prioritizes media based on user information. The bill argues that such feeds negatively impact children’s mental health.
Enforcement and Penalties
The New York Attorney General’s Office will be responsible for creating rules and regulations to enforce the new law. Companies found in violation will have 30 days to correct the issue or face fines of up to $5,000 per affected user under 18.
Parental Controls and Notifications
The bill also includes provisions for parental controls. Social media platforms will be prohibited from sending notifications about ‘addictive’ feeds to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. without parental consent. Parents will have the ability to block their children from receiving algorithmically suggested posts.
Broader Legislative Context
The New York bill is part of a broader trend to regulate social media use among children. Similar legislation has been passed in California, and at the federal level, the Kids Online Safety Act aims to hold social media companies accountable for recommending harmful content to minors.
Legal Challenges and Industry Pushback
The bill is expected to face legal challenges from major tech companies. NetChoice, a trade group representing companies like Google, Meta, and TikTok, has already challenged similar laws in other states, citing First Amendment concerns. Critics argue that the bill could infringe on free speech and privacy rights.
Support and Opposition
The bill has garnered support from a coalition of parents and advocacy groups concerned about the impact of social media on youth mental health. However, civil liberties advocates warn that the legislation could lead to invasive age verification methods, posing risks to user privacy and anonymity.
Conclusion
New York’s legislation marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to protect children from the potentially harmful effects of social media. While the bill has strong support, its implementation and enforcement will likely be closely watched and contested in the coming months.
Sources
- New York passes legislation that would ban ‘addictive’ social media algorithms for kids , NBC News.
- NY passes ban on addictive social media for children. How it works, Democrat and Chronicle.
- NY passes milestone ban on ‘addictive’ social media feeds for children, New York Post.
- New York moves to ban ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids – Troy Record, Troy Record.
- New York Moves to Ban ‘Addictive’ Social Media Feeds for Kids | Health | wktv.com, WKTV.