New York Attorney General Implements Social Media Restrictions to Protect Minors
New York Attorney General Letitia James has released final regulations for the SAFE for Kids Act, a law aimed at protecting minors from addictive social media features. Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in June 2024, the law mandates social media companies to restrict algorithmically personalized content feeds and overnight notifications for users under 18 unless parental consent is obtained. The regulations, effective January 25, 2027, require companies to verify users' ages and obtain parental approval before enabling these features. The law addresses concerns about youth mental health, linking algorithm-driven feeds to increased risks of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems among children and teenagers.