NY Outlines How It’s Going to Keep Your Kids Away From Algorithmic Social Feeds | #childpredator | #kidsaftey | #childsaftey

If you’re a New York resident with a teen who spends hours scrolling social media, a law that goes into effect early next year might help cut down on their screen time. But it could also ensnare adults who might be forced to prove they’re not a kid before checking out Reels.

NY Attorney General Letitia James today released a final set of rules for implementing the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. Signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2024, it takes effect on Jan. 25, 2027, and regulates how New York minors interact with social media platforms. This includes barring them from algorithmic feeds and receiving social media notifications between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., unless parents waive these restrictions. 

“Algorithmic feeds and nighttime notifications are tied to depression, anxiety, eating and sleep disorders, and other mental health issues among children and teenagers,” James’ office says.

In place of an algorithmic feed, the law requires that minors be shown content from accounts they follow in chronological order or in another set sequence. “Users cannot be cut off from [social media platforms] simply because they either do not want or do not have parental consent for an addictive feed,” James’ office says. “Instead, all users will still be able to access all the same content they can access now,” just not in a firehose of never-ending, customized content.

The law applies to “Addictive Online Platforms,” defined as platforms that display user-generated content and have users who spend at least 20% of their time on addictive feeds, likely including major players like TikTok and Instagram. It authorizes the AG’s office to pursue civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation against companies that don’t comply.

How Does Age Verification Work?

Age verification is a hot-button issue these days. It’s why Pornhub is blocked in half the country. Under the SAFE for Kids Act, “social media companies must determine that the user is an adult before allowing them to access algorithmic feeds and/or nighttime notifications,” but they don’t have to collect selfies or driver’s license photos if a less invasive method works.

“Companies may confirm a user’s age using any existing method, as long as the methods are shown to meet accuracy benchmarks and protect users’ data,” AG James says. “Social media companies must offer at least one alternative method for age assurance besides providing a government-issued ID.”

That could include requesting an uploaded image or video, or verifying a user’s email address or phone number to cross-check other information that reflects a user’s age. Companies must conduct annual testing and retain the results for at least a decade. Furthermore, information used to determine a user’s age must be either deleted or de-identified immediately after use.

Parents granting their kids access to restricted features must verify their ages.