New York Issues Final Rules for SAFE for Kids Act

Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced final regulations on Tuesday to implement the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. Effective January 25, 2027, the rules require social media companies to restrict algorithmically personalized feeds for users under 18 and block notifications sent between midnight and 6 a.m. unless parental consent is obtained.

To comply, platforms must implement age-verification methods that achieve a 98 percent detection rate for circumvention attempts. While government-issued IDs are acceptable, companies must provide at least one alternative, such as email or phone cross-checking. The rules apply to addictive online platforms where users spend at least 20 percent of their time on algorithmic feeds over six months. Minors can still access restricted features if parents provide consent through a platform toggle.

Non-compliant platforms face fines of up to $5,000 per violation. Hochul characterized the measures as a response to a "full-blown mental health crisis" among youth, aiming to combat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. While the advocacy group Common Sense Media praised the regulations as a national standard, the industry trade group NetChoice raised concerns that the restrictions on content curation may violate free speech and privacy rights.