New York Lawmakers Strengthen Parental Controls for Social Media Users Under 18

New York lawmakers passed legislation that will prohibit the exposure of "addictive" algorithm-based content to social media users under the age of 18 without parental consent.

Several states have been working on limiting the risk of social media usage to younger audiences by strengthening parental controls.

NYC Pushes Limited Data Collection, Stronger Parental Controls

Under the legislation, social media users under the age of 18 will not be allowed to preview content based on the algorithmic process of companies without parental consent. Some states have also been pushing to require consent for underage users due to the risk of addiction.

The companion bill, which seeks to prevent the collection and selling of personal data from underage users, also received its legislative approval in the New York Assembly after getting cleared by the state Senate.

Governor Kathy Hochul considered both legislation as a "historic step forward in our efforts to address the youth mental health crisis and create a safer digital environment for young people."

Mental health issues are also one of the pressing concerns linked to excessive exposure to social media. Several reports have shown high rates of depression, cyberbullying, and anxiety are also related to social media use.

NYC Bills Risk Profit Loss for Social Media Companies

A Harvard University study revealed that top social media companies have been generating huge profits from advertising to minors in 2022, linking the companies' reliance to appeal to younger audiences.

Tech giants like Meta, which holds significant platforms like Facebook and Instagram, are expected to experience a significant shift in their revenue once the legislation pushes further.

The Harvard study also disclosed that companies reached a revenue of $11 billion for advertising to minors. Regardless, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed his support for the bill.

If passed, the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act will require underage users to obtain parental consent for viewing "addictive" feeds, such as content that was purposely shown to their feed without following or subscribing to the account.