Hochul on NY social media law: ‘You cannot turn a blind eye to trauma that has been inflicted on our children’

Lauren Sforza
·1-min read

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) pushed back on some criticism of the new social media laws that she signed last week to address the impact it could have on children’s mental health.

“You cannot turn a blind eye to trauma that is being inflicted on our children, especially young teenagers today, a seminal point in their lives … they’re being bombarded with intensely addictive algorithms to pull them into a dark space and hold them captive,” she said on CNN’s “State of the Union” when asked about concerns about the new law.

Hochul signed two social media laws last week that will regulate how social media companies provide addictive features to children and how they collect and use the data of minors. She also said Sunday that she “absolutely” believes the laws will hold up in court.

Under the Safe for Kids Act, social media platforms will be prevented from offering addictive features for children without parental consent. The companies would also be barred from collecting, using or selling personal data of kids and teens without consent under the Child Data Protection Act.

Hochul also said that she sat down with young people in forums and has discussed social media with them.

“A young woman once said to me, ‘You have to save us from ourselves. We can’t stop.’ And I thought, it’s not her fault. These companies are monetizing our children’s mental health. They’re taking away from them,” she said.

“And if we don’t stand up as a government and as parents, the first mom governor of New York, I’m going to make sure that we fight for our kids,” she added.

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