New York is pushing a new package of proposals aimed at keeping children and teens safer online as social media, gaming platforms and AI tools continue to expand their reach.
Gov. Kathy Hochul outlined the plan during a roundtable with parents and advocates in Albany, calling the effort a next step in the state’s push to protect kids from predators, scammers and harmful AI chatbots while giving parents more control.
What the proposals would do
The governor’s State of the State proposal would expand online safety rules across social media and gaming platforms used by children.
Under the plan, platforms would face broader age verification requirements, including online gaming sites. Accounts for kids would default to the highest privacy settings, blocking messages from strangers, limiting profile visibility and turning off location sharing. Children under 13 would need parental approval to add new connections.
The proposal would also disable certain AI chatbot features for kids and require platforms to give parents oversight of in-app purchases, including the ability to set spending limits and review transaction history.
Building on earlier laws
State officials say the proposal builds on a series of recent New York laws that already restrict addictive social media features, limit the collection and sale of children’s data, and place safeguards on AI companions.
Those efforts include warning labels about social media’s mental health impacts, limits on smartphone use in schools, and new rules steering AI conversations about self-harm toward mental health resources.
The governor framed the new measures as part of a broader response to youth mental health concerns and fast-changing technology.
Support from advocates and lawmakers
Child safety advocates and lawmakers praised the proposal, saying online platforms have failed to keep kids safe on their own.
Supporters pointed to rising concerns about AI chatbots, data mining, and unregulated interactions on social media and gaming platforms. They said stronger rules are needed to protect children’s privacy, limit exploitation and give families clearer tools to manage online activity.
Lawmakers backing the plan said it would reinforce New York’s role as a national leader in child-centered technology policy.
What comes next
The proposals will now move through the legislative process as part of the governor’s broader agenda. If approved, the measures would expand New York’s existing online safety framework and set stricter standards for platforms that serve young users.
State officials say the goal is simple: reduce risks, strengthen accountability and give parents peace of mind as kids spend more time online.
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