New York governor signs first US bill regulating social media algorithms

Big changes are coming for New York’s youngest social media users after Governor Kathy Hochul signed two new bills on Thursday targeting social media algorithms and the handling of children’s data by digital platforms.

These landmark laws make New York the first state to regulate social media algorithms amid nationwide concerns that apps like Instagram and TikTok use addictive features to hook users.

Hochul’s decision follows US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s recent call for warning labels on social media platforms, igniting debate about the potential mental health impacts of social media, especially on teenagers.

Under New York’s SAFE For Kids Act, social media platforms must display content chronologically by default for users under 18. The New York Child Data Protection Act will restrict websites from collecting or sharing personal data of users under 18 without consent, building on existing federal privacy protections for children under 13.

The SAFE For Kids Act also mandates that platforms limit late-night notifications, which lawmakers argue are designed to increase engagement but can disrupt sleep. Both bills were introduced last fall and passed the state legislature in early June.

State officials praised the legislation as a crucial measure to curb social media’s influence on teens.

“Today, we save our children,” Hochul declared at a press conference on Thursday. “We have heard their cries for help, reminding us as adults that we have a moral responsibility to protect young New Yorkers from harm and from addictive forces.”

A Meta spokesperson acknowledged the legislation in a statement, saying, “While we don’t agree with every aspect of these bills, we welcome New York becoming the first state to pass legislation recognizing the responsibility of app stores.”

The spokesperson added that most parents support requiring app stores to obtain parental approval for app downloads and that Meta will continue working with policymakers to advance this approach.

CNN has reached out to Google, Snap, and TikTok for comments.

Some academics have noted that while research shows links between specific social media activities and negative mental health outcomes, a direct causal link between general social media use and these harms is less clear. Nonetheless, numerous states and federal lawmakers argue that tech companies’ products contribute to issues such as eating disorders, sleeplessness, distraction, and, in severe cases, self-harm and suicide.

“This will save lives,” Hochul said at Thursday’s press conference.

New York Attorney General Letitia James added that the legislation targets “the most dangerous aspects of social media, the addictive algorithm feeds that exploit impressionable minds.”

“These bills will empower my office to set rules and ensure companies are following them,” James said.

Opponents, including tech industry representatives, argue that the social media algorithm bill is likely unconstitutional as it infringes on children’s First Amendment rights and raises practical issues about social media functionality across state lines.

“It’s a well-intentioned effort, but it’s aimed at the wrong target,” said Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the tech industry advocacy group Chamber of Progress. “Algorithmic curation makes teenagers’ feeds healthier, and banning algorithms will make social media worse for teens.”

The signing of this legislation sets the stage for potential legal battles over state social media laws.

States like Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and others have also passed laws regulating social media’s approach to teens. Industry groups have challenged some of these laws, and courts have often viewed them skeptically. For instance, a federal judge in Ohio recently blocked a law requiring online platforms to get parental consent before creating accounts for users under 16, citing likely First Amendment violations.

Additionally, Texas and Florida have enacted laws to limit online platforms from moderating their content. These laws are currently under review by the Supreme Court, with a decision expected soon.