The SAFE for Kids Act, signed into law in New York on 20 June 2024, amends the general business law to protect minors from addictive social media feeds. The act addresses concerns about mental health impacts due to prolonged social media use among children and teenagers.
Key Provisions:
- Definition of Addictive Feeds: The act defines an “addictive feed” as one that employs algorithms to recommend or prioritize content based on user behavior, aiming to enhance engagement.
- Regulation: Social media platforms are prohibited from offering addictive feeds to users under 18 without verifiable parental consent. The act mandates using commercially reasonable methods to ascertain user age, ensuring compliance without relying solely on sensitive information like biometrics.
- Penalties and Enforcement: The New York Attorney General is empowered to enforce the act, with potential civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. The act aims to hold social media companies accountable for non-compliance, safeguarding minors’ well-being. There is no private right of action.
- Implementation Timeline: The act will take effect 108 days after the Attorney General’s office finalizes relevant regulations, allowing time for platforms to adapt their systems to meet new legal standards.
- Rationale: The legislation responds to research linking addictive social media feeds with increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among youth. It underscores the inadequacy of self-regulation by platforms and the need for legal measures to mitigate these risks.
👉 Read the bill here.
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