New York takes steps to restrict ‘habit-forming’ social media content for children

June 21, 2024

Updated: June 21, 2024

(AP) — In a significant move, New York’s Governor ⁤Kathy Hochul has given her assent to a bill that empowers parents ⁤to ⁢restrict their children from viewing social media ‍posts recommended by⁣ a platform’s algorithm. This step is seen as a measure to curb the addictive nature⁢ of such feeds.

The new law will primarily⁣ affect users under 18 years of age on popular apps like TikTok and ⁤Instagram. It will limit their feeds to posts from accounts they follow, rather than content⁤ suggested by an automated algorithm. Additionally, it will prevent platforms from sending minors notifications on suggested posts between midnight and 6 a.m.

However, these provisions can be deactivated if a minor obtains what the bill terms as “verifiable parental consent.”

The law will not be enforced ‍immediately. The⁢ responsibility of formulating rules to verify a user’s age and⁣ parental consent now lies with State Attorney General Letitia⁤ James. ‌Once the rules⁢ are finalized, social media⁤ companies will have a 180-day window to implement the regulations.

“We have the power to safeguard ‌our children. We can assert to⁤ the⁢ companies that they⁣ are not permitted to do this, they don’t have the right ⁢to do this, that parents should have control over their ⁢children’s⁢ lives and their health, not them,” stated⁣ Hochul, ‌a Democrat, during‍ a bill signing ceremony in Manhattan.

The signing marks the commencement of what‍ is anticipated‌ to be a lengthy process ‍of rule making, and ‌a likely lawsuit from social media companies to ⁢obstruct the law.

NetChoice, a tech industry trade group that includes X and Meta,⁢ has denounced the legislation as unconstitutional.

“This is an attack on free ‌speech⁣ and the open internet by the State of New York,” Carl ‍Szabo, vice president and⁤ general⁤ counsel of NetChoice, said in ⁣a statement. “New York has devised a method for the government to monitor what⁤ sites people visit and their online activity ‍by compelling websites to censor all content unless visitors provide an‍ ID to verify their age.”

Most of the major⁤ social media platforms send⁣ users a continuous flow of suggested videos, photographs, and other content, using a computer‍ to try and predict what will keep users entertained and engaged for the longest time possible. The algorithms use a range of factors to curate that content, including a user’s past clicks and interests ⁣of other people with similar preferences.

This bill represents the latest effort by a state to ⁢regulate social media due to concerns over how children interact with the platforms.

Earlier this ‌week, California ⁣Governor Gavin⁣ Newsom ⁤announced plans to collaborate with the Legislature on a bill to⁣ limit smartphone usage for students during ‍school hours, though he⁤ didn’t provide ⁢specific details on what ⁣the proposal would entail. In 2019, Newsom signed a bill allowing school districts to limit or ban smartphones while at school.

While there hasn’t been comprehensive ⁢legislation on the subject at the ⁢federal ⁣level, it is a frequent topic of discussion in Washington. This week, the U.S. surgeon general urged Congress to place‌ warning labels⁣ on social media platforms⁤ similar to those on cigarettes, citing mental health risks for children using the⁣ sites.

Under increasing⁤ pressure, some tech companies have decided to establish parental controls on‌ their⁣ platforms. Last year, Meta, the ⁤parent company ⁣of Facebook and ⁣Instagram, developed tools ‍that allowed parents to set time limits on the apps for children.

The‍ New York legislation, which‍ was introduced last⁢ October, had ⁢faced significant resistance in the Legislature from the ‍tech industry.

“Social media platforms manipulate what our⁣ children see online to keep them on ‍the platforms as‍ long as possible,” said James, a Democrat who advocated for the bill. “The more time young people spend on social ⁤media, the more they are at risk ⁢of developing serious mental health concerns.”

Alejandro Mendoza

Alejandro Mendoza is a dedicated journalist, known for his in-depth research and commitment to truth. A graduate of Columbia University's School of Journalism, he specializes in revealing and reporting on significant local issues.