New York Pioneers Social Media Regulation with New Algorithm Bill

On Thursday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a groundbreaking bill aimed at protecting minors from the potentially addictive nature of social media algorithms. This landmark legislation allows parents to block their children from receiving algorithmically suggested posts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The new law stipulates that social media feeds for users under the age of 18 will be restricted to posts from accounts they follow. Content suggestions generated by automated algorithms will be prohibited.

Additionally, platforms will be barred from sending notifications about suggested posts to minors between midnight and 6 am. These restrictions can be lifted if "verifiable parental consent" is provided.

Implementation and Oversight

The bill does not take immediate effect. State Attorney General Letitia James is responsible for developing the rules to verify a user's age and parental consent. Once these rules are finalized, social media companies will have 180 days to comply with the new regulations.

Governor Hochul's Statement

At the bill signing ceremony in Manhattan, Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of protecting children from the manipulative practices of social media companies. "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 to say over their children's lives and their health, not you," Hochul stated.

Industry Response and Legal Challenges

The legislation is expected to face legal challenges from social media companies. Major platforms like X and Meta are members of the tech sector trade association NetChoice, which deemed the bill unconstitutional.

Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel of NetChoice, argued, "This is an assault on free speech and the open internet by the State of New York."

The Role of Social Media Algorithms

Most social media platforms use algorithms to suggest content to users based on their past interactions and the preferences of similar users. These algorithms aim to keep users engaged for as long as possible by predicting what content will be most entertaining or interesting to them.

State-Level Efforts to Regulate Social Media

This bill represents the latest state-level attempt to regulate social media usage among minors. In a similar vein, California Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced plans to work with the Legislature on a bill to restrict smartphone usage for students during school hours.

Federal Discussions on Social Media Regulation

Although no broad federal legislation has been passed, social media regulation remains a hot topic in Washington. This week, the U.S. Surgeon General called on Congress to mandate warning labels on social media platforms, similar to those on cigarette packages, highlighting the mental health risks for children.

Tech Companies' Response

Facing increasing scrutiny, some tech companies have already introduced parental controls on their platforms. Meta, for instance, has implemented tools allowing parents to set time limits on Instagram and Facebook usage for their children.

Conclusion

The New York legislation, championed by Attorney General Letitia James, faced significant opposition from the tech industry. James highlighted the mental health risks posed by social media, stating, "The more time young people spend on social media, the more they are at risk of developing serious mental health concerns." This historic bill marks a significant step in regulating social media to protect the mental health and well-being of minors.