New York has finalised regulations that will require social media platforms to verify users’ ages before allowing access to algorithmically personalised feeds, marking the final step before the state’s SAFE for Kids Act takes effect in January. State officials say the measures are intended to reduce children’s exposure to features designed to encourage prolonged use of social media.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced the completed regulations, which provide social media companies with detailed requirements for complying with the law. Beginning on 25 January, platforms covered by the legislation must limit certain features for users under 18 unless they have obtained verifiable parental consent.
Under the new rules, minors will no longer be able to receive algorithmically curated content feeds by default. Instead, platforms must restrict recommendation systems that personalise content based on a user’s previous activity, such as likes, views or other engagement. The law also prohibits covered platforms from sending notifications to users under 18 between midnight and 6 a.m. without parental authorisation.
The regulations establish how companies should determine whether a user is an adult. Covered platforms must use third-party age verification systems that satisfy specified accuracy standards before granting access to algorithmic feeds. While checking a government-issued identity document is one permitted method, the rules require companies to offer at least one alternative verification option.
Other approved approaches may include analysing uploaded images or videos or verifying information such as an email address or telephone number alongside additional evidence that helps establish a user’s age. According to the regulations, personal information collected during the verification process must be deleted or de-identified once it has served its intended purpose and cannot be retained or used for unrelated activities.
Companies that fail to comply after the law comes into force could face civil penalties of $5,000 for each violation. State officials say the regulations provide clear standards for implementing the law while allowing parents to decide whether their children should continue using personalised feeds or receive overnight notifications.
The legislation is nevertheless expected to face legal scrutiny. NetChoice, a trade association representing major technology companies, has argued that restricting how platforms organise and present content raises First Amendment concerns and could amount to unconstitutional regulation of protected speech. New York officials have said they believe the law will withstand any court challenge because parents remain free to authorise access to the restricted features for their children.
The regulations have also received support from child safety advocates and medical organisations, including Common Sense Media and the New York State chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which say the measures could help reduce excessive social media use among young people by limiting features they believe encourage compulsive engagement.