The SAFE For Kids Act also known as Stop Addictive Feed Exploration for Kids Act or S7694A is an American law in the state of New York that requires parental consent for anyone under 18 as well as estimation of their age to have an "addictive" feed. It was later signed on June 20, 2024, by New Yorks Governor and goes into effect 180 days after being signed.[1][2][3]
| SAFE For Kids Act | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The New York State Assembly | |
| |
| Territorial extent | State of New York |
| Signed | June 20, 2024 |
| Introduced | October 13, 2023 |
| Status: Not yet in force | |
Progression
editThe bill had zero votes against it in its rule committee vote or its floor vote and was promoted by the governor.[3][4]
Summary
editThe bill requires addictive social media platforms which is defined as any website, online service, online application, or mobile application, that offers or provides users an addictive feed as a significant part of the services provided by such website, online service, online application, or mobile application. These platforms will have to use a method to determine someone's age and if they are under 18 years of age to get parental consent before giving them an "addictive" feed. It also prohibits these platforms from sending notifications to anyone under 18 between 12:00 am - 6:00 am Eastern Statured Time without parental consent. The rulemaking authority and enforcement is done by the Attorney General of New York and it will take effect and be enforced within 180 days of it being signed. Noncompliance with the law will incur a $5,000 fine per violation.[1][5]
Promotion
editAside from the Governor of New York the bill has been promoted by Common Sense Media.[6]
Criticism
editThe bill has been criticized by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and NetChoice because the law requires age determination which will lead to privacy and free speech concerns. However, neither of them has yet sued New York over the law yet.[7][8][9]
Similar legislation
editA similar law SB 976 also known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act was passed in California and goes into effect January 1, 2027, and a similar bill SB 359 which passed the Virginia Senate by a vote of 40-0 during its 2024 session has been carried over to its 2025 session.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
References
edit- ^ a b New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signs bill targeting addictive social media platforms: "Our kids are in distress" - CBS News
- ^ New York governor signs bill regulating social media algorithms, in a US first | CNN Business
- ^ a b NY State Senate Bill 2023-S7694A (nysenate.gov)
- ^ NY officials announce legislation aimed at protecting kids on social media | CNN Business
- ^ S7694A (nysenate.gov)
- ^ Common Sense Media Beats Back Tech Lobby in New York With the Passage of Two Online Child Safety Bills | Common Sense Media
- ^ EFF comments to NY AG on SAFE for Kids (Sept. 2024) | Electronic Frontier Foundation
- ^ EFF to New York: Age Verification Threatens Everyone's Speech and Privacy | Electronic Frontier Foundation
- ^ New York Follows Unconstitutional Path of California & Arkansas, Jeopardizing Safety Online & Undermining Parents - NetChoice
- ^ Bill Text - SB-976 Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act.
- ^ Newsom signs California bill to limit ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids - Los Angeles Times
- ^ California governor signs law to protect children from social media addiction | AP News
- ^ LIS > Bill Tracking > SB359 > 2024 session
- ^ LIS > Bill Tracking > SB359 > 2025 session
- ^ LIS > Bill Tracking > > 2024 session
]