- New York AG Letitia James has released proposed rules under the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, which aims to curb social media features deemed addictive for children and teens.
- The proposed rules target algorithmically driven feeds, which recommend or personalize content for users based on their data, often in an endless stream. The AG’s office takes the position that such feeds contribute to harmful social media use among minors, as they are designed to maximize engagement and retention, which can lead to excessive screen time and related negative health outcomes, like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and disrupted sleep.
- The SAFE for Kids Act requires social media platforms to limit personalized algorithmic feeds for users under 18, unless a parent or guardian provides consent. Without consent, minors can only see content from accounts they follow or select, displayed in non-personalized order. The law also prohibits push notifications to minors between midnight and 6:00 a.m. without parental consent.
- The AG’s proposed rules outline compliance expectations, including standards for age verification and parental consent. If adopted, the AG would be authorized to enforce violations with civil penalties of up to $5,000 per offense.