New York governor restricts social media for under-18s, requires parental consent

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has finalized rules for the "Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act," a significant measure aimed at curbing the negative impacts of social media on minors. The law imposes restrictions on social media platforms for users under the age of 18, with specific provisions designed to protect their mental well-being.

The core of the legislation requires social media companies to block personalized algorithmic feeds and nighttime notifications for underage users. However, these features can be enabled if parental consent is obtained. The announcement clarifies the definitive rules for how social media companies must implement these restrictions to comply with the law.

"Today we send a clear message: the mental health of our children is not for sale. We promised to take action, and the SAFE for Kids Act fulfills that promise by ensuring that any platform that directs addictive content to our children will face legal consequences," Governor Hochul stated in a press release. The law allows minors to explicitly request access to restricted features, provided their parents are notified. Adults seeking to grant consent must undergo an age verification process.

Platforms are prohibited from preventing underage users from accessing the networks or their general content if consent is withheld. Parents and minors also retain the right to withdraw consent at any time. The SAFE for Kids Act is set to take effect 180 days after its publication, on January 25, 2027. The New York Attorney General, Letitia James, is authorized to initiate legal actions against non-compliant companies, with potential civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each violation.

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Today we send a clear message: the mental health of our children is not for sale. We promised to take action, and the SAFE for Kids Act fulfills that promise by ensuring that any platform that directs addictive content to our children will face legal consequences.