New York state lawmakers are working on a plan to prohibit social media companies from using algorithms to control content for youth without parental consent, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This tentative agreement follows increasing scrutiny of social media platforms for their addictive nature and impact on young people.
In February, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a lawsuit against social media companies, including Meta Platforms’ Facebook and Instagram, accusing them of contributing to a mental health crisis among youth. The proposed legislation aims to prevent these companies from serving automated feeds to minors without parental approval.
The bill, which is still being finalized and is expected to be voted on this week, also seeks to ban platforms from sending notifications to minors during overnight hours unless parents consent.
This move mirrors actions taken by other states: in March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that bans children under 14 from social media platforms and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. Utah was the first state to regulate children’s access to social media in March last year, with similar laws following in Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas.
Following this news, shares of Meta and Snap dropped by about 1% in extended trading.
