New York Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers have unveiled a pioneering piece of legislation—the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, Engadget reports.
This bill, aimed at reining in the power of algorithm-driven content, seeks to address social media's adverse impact on young users' mental health and requires parental consent for children to access algorithm-based feeds on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
A Battle Against Addictive Algorithms
The SAFE for Kids Act represents a significant step in the ongoing battle against the perceived harms of addictive social media algorithms.
In her statement, Governor Hochul described these algorithms as technology that "follows" and "preys" on young people, echoing growing concerns about the detrimental effects of constant algorithm-driven content consumption on young minds.
Protecting Youth Mental Health
Numerous studies have highlighted the correlation between excessive use of social media platforms and poor mental health, particularly among the youth.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James stressed that "social media platforms are fueling a national youth mental health crisis," with young New Yorkers experiencing record levels of anxiety and depression.
This legislation, she believes, is a crucial step towards mitigating these risks and safeguarding the privacy of young users.
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Key Provisions of the SAFE Act
Under this proposed legislation, children would require parental or guardian consent to access algorithmic content feeds on popular platforms.
However, the bill is designed to strike a balance, allowing young people to view content from accounts they follow without seeking permission, ensuring they can engage with safe, curated content.
Furthermore, parents or guardians will have the power to set limits on the number of hours their child spends on these apps and to restrict access and notifications between midnight and 6 AM.
Penalties for Non-compliance
The SAFE for Kids Act establishes significant penalties to ensure that social media companies adhere to these regulations.
Platforms failing to enforce the legislation's provisions could face fines of up to $5,000. This stern approach aims to hold companies accountable for their roles in shaping the digital experiences of young users.
Companion Legislation to Safeguard Children's Data
In conjunction with the SAFE for Kids Act, New York lawmakers have introduced the New York Child Data Protection Act.
This legislation takes a comprehensive stance on the collection, usage, sharing, and selling of personal data of individuals under the age of 18.
It mandates that informed consent must be obtained, particularly for those under 13, and that personal data should be handled with utmost care.
Industry Response and Concerns
Notably, the SAFE for Kids Act has faced opposition from tech giants, including Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok. Tech:NYC, representing over 800 tech companies, also expressed reservations.
According to the New York Post, one anti-surveillance activist group, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P. ), the proposed legislation provides firms more ability to spy on us all, while children are able to skirt the potential safeguards easily.
The sponsors of the SAFE for Kids Act, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, are gearing up to present this landmark legislation before the New York legislature, with a potential timeline of early 2024.
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