Senator Lea Webb and the Senate Majority Advances First in Nation Legislation Regulating Social Media Algorithms to Protect Children

(Binghamton, N.Y.) Senator Webb and the Senate Democratic Majority has advanced groundbreaking legislation to regulate how social media companies use algorithms on children and utilize their data. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, S.7694, sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, will prevent social media companies from showing algorithmic feeds to minors under the age of 18 and will prohibit overnight push notifications for addictive feeds, unless they receive parental consent. Another measure, the Child Data Protection Act, S.7695B, also sponsored by Senator Gounardes, will limit the personal information that media companies can collect and sell from children that is used to create personalized advertisements and to support the curation of addictive algorithmic feeds.

By passing these vital pieces of legislation, the Senate Democratic Majority is helping to place power back in the hands of parents and protecting our youth and their mental health from addictive, exploitative practices.

“This legislation that we have advanced in the State Senate helps to ensure that our children are safe from harmful social media algorithms,” said Senator Lea Webb. "For far too long, these companies have preyed on and profited from our children. With algorithms and data collection, companies have methodically curated content without any oversight or consent. By limiting the access companies have to young users' personal information and the advertisements shown to them, we are protecting our children from the risks associated with these platforms."

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