NY’s “SAFE” for Kids Act

KEY PROVISIONS

1. Ban on Algorithmic “Addictive Feeds” for Minors
   Platforms cannot automatically serve under-18 users with feeds curated by algorithms that predict content based on prior activity or device use—unless parents provide explicit consent. Exceptions exist for direct searches, sequential posts from the same creator, or private messaging.

2. Restrictions on Overnight Notifications
   Push notifications tied to these feeds are prohibited for minors between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless a parent opts in.

3. Age Verification and Parental Consent
   Companies must use reasonable and technically feasible methods to confirm user age and gain verifiable parental consent. Any data collected for this purpose must be deleted immediately after it is no longer needed.

4. Privacy Protections
   Platforms cannot reduce service quality or charge higher fees if minors or parents decline consent.

5. Enforcement and Penalties
   The law empowers the New York Attorney General to enforce compliance with civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.

Although signed into law, the SAFE for Kids Act won’t be enforced until 2026 at the earliest. That’s because the Attorney General’s office must first draft detailed regulations, allow for a public comment period, finalize the rules, and then wait an additional six months before the law officially takes effect. This lengthy process means New York’s pioneering social media protections for kids remain on hold for now—but once active, they could reshape how platforms operate nationwide.