New York State has finalized its rules on how social media companies will be required to restrict addictive features on their platforms in compliance with a law designed to protect children's mental health. Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced those rules on Tuesday. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, which takes effect in January 2027, requires social media companies to restrict algorithmically personalized feeds and nighttime notifications for users under the age of 18 unless they obtain parental consent.
The following are some of the new rules, which can be found in full on the website of the Office of the Attorney General:
Age Assurance
- Social media companies must determine that a given user is an adult before providing them with algorithmic feeds and/or nighttime notifications. Companies may confirm a user's age using any methods that meet accuracy benchmarks and protect users' data as set forth in the regulations. Companies can use options such as requesting an uploaded image or video; or verifying a user's e-mail address or phone number to cross-check other information that reflects a user's age.
- Social media companies must offer at least one alternative method for age assurance besides providing a government-issued ID.
- Any information used to determine age or obtain parental consent must not be used for any other purpose and must be deleted or de-identified immediately after its intended use. Social media companies must use only the minimum amount of data necessary to confirm a user's age.
- Minor users must have an option to update their age status on the platform when they turn 18.
- Social media companies must choose an age assurance method with a high accuracy rate, conduct annual testing, and retain the results of the testing for a minimum of five years.
Parental Consent
- Minors must affirmatively seek access to prohibited features and must consent to their parent being notified. Any parent who wants to grant consent must go through age assurance.
- The platform may not block a minor user from generally accessing the platform or its content through, for example, searches, simply because they or their parent has refused to consent.
- Parents and minors must also have the option to withdraw their consent at any time.
Photo by Governor Kathy Hochul's Office
