New York to Empower Parents With Bill That Gives Them More Control Over Their Kids' Social Media Feeds, Late-Night Notifications

New York is about to pass a law that would empower parents by giving them greater control over their children's social media content and interactions.

The proposed legislation would mandate parental consent for late-night notifications received by minors.

New York to Protect Children, Teenagers Online

Under this legislation, parental consent would be mandatory for late-night notifications, and social media platforms would be prohibited from displaying algorithmic feeds to teenagers without such permission.

According to The Wall Street Journal sources, state lawmakers have reached a "tentative agreement" on the bill, which is expected to be voted on later this week.

The report noted that the proposed bill, in its final stages of preparation, seeks to bar social media platforms from delivering automated feeds to underage users.

Additionally, the legislation would forbid platforms from sending notifications to minors overnight unless parental consent is obtained. Last year, state leaders, led by Governor Kathy Hochul, unveiled a proposed legislation mandating parental approval for algorithmic feeds.

Known as the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, the bill does not limit the content accessible to teenagers on social media platforms.

However, it stipulated that teens cannot access algorithmic feeds without explicit permission from their parents or legal guardians. The updated version of the legislation also blocks teenagers from receiving in-app notifications overnight unless parental consent is granted.

Addressing Social Media Challenges

Concerns over the addictive qualities and influence on young individuals have brought increased scrutiny to social media platforms in recent years.

In February, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that his administration had initiated legal action against social media platforms such as Meta's Facebook and Instagram. The lawsuit alleged that these platforms contribute to a mental health crisis among the youth.

As a result, the largest school district in the country, educating approximately one million students, has been compelled to address disruptions within and beyond the classroom.

This response includes providing therapy to address feelings of anxiety and despair among students, as well as developing educational programs focused on the risks associated with social media and internet safety.

Each year, the city allocates over $100 million towards services and initiatives addressing child mental health issues, which the filing attributes to the influence of social media.

The complaint was jointly filed by the city of New York, the school system, and health organizations, among others, in the Los Angeles County branch of the California Superior Court. This decision was reportedly influenced by the firm's connections to the local area.

In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted a bill prohibiting children under 14 years old from accessing social media platforms. It also mandated that 14- and 15-year-olds obtain parental consent before joining these platforms.

Proponents argued that this measure is crucial in safeguarding children from potential mental health risks associated with online exposure.

In March last year, Utah became the first US state to implement laws governing children's use of social media platforms. Subsequently, several other states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas, enacted similar regulations.