According to sources familiar with the issue, a tentative agreement among New York state legislators aims to ban social media companies from utilizing algorithms to influence content targeted at minors without parental approval. The Wall Street Journal reported this development on Monday, June 3.
In recent times, social media platforms have faced criticism for their addictive qualities and effects on young individuals. In February, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that his administration had initiated legal action against social media companies, including Meta Platforms’ Facebook and Instagram, alleging that they contribute to the mental health crisis among young people.
The proposed legislation aims to prevent social media companies from delivering automated feeds to minors, according to the report. The bill, still in the finalization stage but expected to be voted on this week, would also prohibit platforms from sending minors notifications during overnight hours without parental consent, as reported by the WSJ.
In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting children under 14 from using social media platforms and requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds, a measure aimed at safeguarding their mental health from online risks. Utah became the first US state to enact laws regulating children’s access to social media in March last year, followed by others including Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas.
Major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have faced increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers in the United States due to concerns over what they consider to be “addictive” features.
In December 2023, New Mexico’s Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that the company had not adequately protected children from sexual exploitation and had used algorithms to push “harmful” content toward young users. In October 2023, a case supported by the attorneys general of 33 states was brought against Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, alleging violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.
The complaint asserted that Meta collected personal data from minors without parental consent and that its algorithms exacerbated the “youth mental health crisis” in the country.
