New York advances bill to bar social media from using ‘addictive’ algorithms on kids

New York Legislature passed a bill Friday that would ban social media platforms from using “addictive” algorithms on kids.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) is expected to sign the bill into law. On Friday, she shared about the legislation on social media platform X.

“New York just passed nation-leading legislation to combat addictive social media feeds and protect kids online,” Hochul said. “Grateful to @NewYorkStateAG and our partners in the Legislature for working with us to advance the SAFE for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act.”

The legislation will prevent social media companies from showing minors algorithmic feeds and prohibit overnight push notifications unless they receive parental consent.

It also will limit the personal information that companies can collect, sell and use to create targeted ads and “addictive algorithmic feeds,” the New York State Senate said.

“Since their adoption, addictive feeds have had a dramatic negative effect on children and teenagers, causing young users to spend more time on social media than they otherwise would, which has been tied to significantly higher rates of youth depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self harm,” the bill text said.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins celebrated the bills in a statement.

“Together, we will continue to take all necessary actions to protect the mental well-being of our children,” she said.

The bill could face challenges if it is signed into law, NBC News noted.