The legislation is still being finalized but is expected to be up for a vote this week, according to unnamed sources who spoke with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). If enacted, underage social media users would be able to follow whatever accounts they choose, but feeds will be displayed in chronological order. The bill would also prohibit social media platforms from sending minors notifications overnight without parental consent. Passage of the legislation would make New York the first state in the nation to restrict social media companies from using algorithms to curate content for minors. The proposal also includes a provision that would bar websites from collecting or sharing personal data of users under 18 without consent. “We’re not banning young people from social media,” Hochul said during a June 3 interview. “Not at all. We’re simply saying that they should not be bombarded with these feeds that can be sorted a different way and not in a way that is so negative for them.” The legislation was first introduced last October amid concerns from state officials and lawmakers about the negative impact that social media can have on young, impressionable minds. “Social media platforms are fueling a national youth mental health crisis that is harming children’s wellbeing and safety,” Attorney General Leticia James said in a statement at the time of the legislation’s unveiling. “Young New Yorkers are struggling with record levels of anxiety and depression, and social media companies that use addictive features to keep minors on their platforms longer are largely to blame,” she added. “This legislation will help tackle the risks of social media affecting our children and protect their privacy.” Similar legislation is being advanced in other states, including California, which had its “Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction” bill pass the state senate with a bipartisan vote of 35-2. “Social media companies have designed their platforms to addict users, especially our kids,” California State Sen. Nancy Skinner said in a statement. “Studies show that once a young person has a social media addiction, they experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem,” she added. “But social media companies have been unwilling to voluntarily change their practices. With SB 976, the state Senate has sent a clear message: When social media companies won’t act, it’s our responsibility to protect our children.”New York officials are readying plans to prohibit social media companies from using algorithms to push content to children without parental consent.
