New York Governor signs legislation to protect children against ‘addictive’ social media content

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed two bills into law aimed at regulating digital platforms’ algorithms and the use of children’s data, as reported by CNN.

This groundbreaking action makes New York the first state to pass legislation overseeing social media algorithms, amid widespread concerns that platforms like Instagram and TikTok are using addictive features to engage users.

Hochul’s approval of the bills comes shortly after US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on social media platforms, sparking a national discussion about the potential impact of social media on the mental health of users, particularly teenagers.

Under the SAFE For Kids Act in New York, social media platforms will be mandated to display content in chronological order by default for users under 18.

Additionally, the New York Child Data Protection Act will prohibit websites from collecting or sharing personal data of users under 18 without consent, expanding on existing federal privacy safeguards for children under 13.