New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill that would restrict social media users under 18 years old to platforms' automated algorithms, preventing their "addictive" factor.
Under the signed legislation, parents are allowed to block their children from receiving suggested posts from platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
New York Advances Limited Social Media Feed for Young Users
According to the bill, minors would have to seek "verifiable parental consent" to disable the provision that limits their usage. Under 18 users will only see posts from accounts they follow with no intervention from the automated algorithm.
In addition, the state also proposed to block platforms from sending notifications of suggested posts between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. State Attorney General Letitia James is assigned to draft the rules and mechanics of the verification process.
"We can protect our kids. We can tell the companies that you are not allowed to do this, you don't have a right to do this, that parents should have say over their children's lives and their health, not you," said Hochul during the bill signing ceremony.
U.S. Government Continues Attempts to Regulate Social Media for Youth
The bill is the latest reiteration of attempts to regulate social media platforms, especially for children, after a series of probes linked them to mental health issues. Social media companies are known for their elaborate algorithm to suggest endless content for their users.
Meanwhile, NetChoice, a tech industry trade group, questioned the legislation and tagged it unconstitutional. According to the group, it is an "assault" on free speech to the state.
Other states are also actively reviewing ways to mitigate social media's impact on minors. Earlier this week, California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed that smartphones should not be allowed during school days - a move also criticized by others.
Once the rules are finalized, companies like Meta and ByteDance will be given 180 days to comply and implement the regulations.
