SAFE For Kids Act explained

Short Title:	SAFE For Kids Act
Legislature:	The New York State Assembly
Long Title:	AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to enacting the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids act prohibiting the provision of an addictive feed to a minor
Territorial Extent:	State of New York
Date Signed:	June 20, 2024
Date Effective:	December 17, 2024
Date Introduced:	October 13, 2023
Status:	not yet in force

The SAFE For Kids Act also known as Stop Addictive Feed Exploration for Kids Act or S7694A is an American law in the state of New York that requires parental consent for anyone under 18 as well as estimation their age to have an "addictive" feed. It was later signed on June 20, 2024, by New Yorks Governor and goes into effect 180 days after being signed.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Progression

The bill had zero votes against it in its rule committee vote or its floor vote and was promoted by the governor.^[4]

Summary

The bill requires addictive social media platforms which is defined as any website, online service, online application, or mobile application, that offers or provides users an addictive feed as a significant part of the services provided by such website, online service, online application, or mobile application. These platforms will have to use a method to determine someone's age and if they are under 18 years of age to get parental consent before giving them an "addictive" feed. It also prohibits these platforms from sending notifications to anyone under 18 between 12:00 am - 6:00 am Eastern Statured Time without parental consent. The rulemaking authority and enforcement is done by the Attorney General of New York and it will take effect and be enforced within 180 days of it being signed. Noncompliance with the law will incur a $5,000 fine per violation.^[5]

Promotion

Aside from the Governor of New York the bill has been promoted by Common Sense Media.^[6]

Criticism

The bill has been criticized by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and NetChoice because the law requires age determination which will lead to privacy and free speech concerns. However, neither of them has yet sued New York over the law yet.^{[7] [8] [9]}

References

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Notes and References

1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/safe-act-kathy-hochul-new-york-social-media-algorithm-teens/ New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signs bill targeting addictive social media platforms: "Our kids are in distress" - CBS News
2. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/20/tech/new-york-hochul-social-media-algorithms-children/index.html New York governor signs bill regulating social media algorithms, in a US first | CNN Business
3. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S7694/amendment/A NY State Senate Bill 2023-S7694A (nysenate.gov)
4. https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/11/tech/kids-social-media-mental-health-bills/index.html NY officials announce legislation aimed at protecting kids on social media | CNN Business
5. https://legislation.nysenate.gov/pdf/bills/2023/S7694A S7694A (nysenate.gov)
6. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/press-releases/common-sense-media-beats-back-tech-lobby-in-new-york-with-the-passage-of-two-online-child-safety-bills Common Sense Media Beats Back Tech Lobby in New York With the Passage of Two Online Child Safety Bills | Common Sense Media
7. https://www.eff.org/document/eff-comments-ny-ag-safe-kids-sept-2024 EFF comments to NY AG on SAFE for Kids (Sept. 2024) | Electronic Frontier Foundation
8. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/10/eff-new-york-age-verification-threatens-everyones-speech-and-privacy EFF to New York: Age Verification Threatens Everyone's Speech and Privacy | Electronic Frontier Foundation
9. https://netchoice.org/new-york-follows-unconstitutional-path-of-california-arkansas-jeopardizing-safety-online-undermining-parents/ New York Follows Unconstitutional Path of California & Arkansas, Jeopardizing Safety Online & Undermining Parents - NetChoice