New legislation to protect kids on social media

ALBANY, NY (WENY)-- Some New York State lawmakers recently introduce legislation intending to protect kids on social media platforms.
Some lawmakers said they are concerned about social media's negative impact on children's sleep and mental health.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced support for this legislation.
“Our children are in crisis and it’s up to us to save them,” said Hochul.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James also said she would support the enforcement of this legislation, if it become law.
“It’s not a coincidence that children are spending more time on social media. Social media platforms manipulate the content children see online to keep them on the platforms as long as possible,” said James.
The two bills intend to protect kids by restricting addictive features on social media platforms that can cause harm to young users and prohibit online platforms from collecting, using or, sharing personal data of anyone under the age of 18 without consent.
The legislation will also allow parents to opt out of access to social media for minors from the hours of 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., limiting the time kids spend online per day.
Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-26th Senate District), sponsor to both pieces of legislation, said these bills go hand in hand to combat big tech companies who he said make money from ads and feeds that keep kids on their screens for long periods of time.
“I’m a father of two young children, I don’t want to raise them in a world in which big tech can profit off of the mental health of my children full stop,” he said.
The legislation will only impact social media platforms with feeds made up of user-generated content.