| The recent settlement involving Meta is another clear sign that we must take the impact of social media on young people seriously.
Meta has agreed to pay at least $12.1 billion, with the settlement potentially reaching $17.1 billion, following lawsuits brought by states over the company’s practices involving children and teenagers. The lawsuits alleged that Meta designed its platforms to keep young people engaged, failed to adequately address the risks associated with its platforms, and collected personal information from young users without proper parental consent.
The settlement also requires Meta to make significant changes to how young people use its platforms. These include a default two-hour daily limit for users under 18, stronger parental controls, blocking access between midnight and 6 a.m., and turning off push notifications during weekday school hours.
These changes are important because they show that the government can take action to address the ways social media affects young people. They also reinforce why I introduced Int. 0450 and Int. 0451 in the New York City Council.
Int. 0450 would limit youth social media use to one hour per day, unless a parent or guardian provides a waiver. It would also prohibit social media companies from targeting young people with advertisements, content, groups, products, accounts, or users.
Int. 0451 would require the City to study and report on the impact of social media on the mental health of young people. The report would look at appropriate ages for social media use, recommended hours of use, and the effects social media is having on our youth.
This work is not happening only in New York City. New York State is also taking action, as Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James recently announced the final rules for New York’s SAFE for Kids Act, which requires certain social media platforms to restrict addictive features for users under 18. The rules address algorithmically personalized feeds and overnight notifications, unless a parent provides consent. The law also establishes requirements around age assurance and parental consent. The SAFE for Kids Act is set to take effect on January 25, 2027.
This is significant because it shows that governments at multiple levels are recognizing the same problem. At the state level, New York is addressing the design of social media platforms and addictive features. At the city level, Int. 0450 focuses on setting limits on how much time young people can spend on social media and protecting them from targeted advertising and content. And Int. 0451 would make sure New York City continues to collect information and study how social media is affecting the mental health of our young people so that future policy is based on evidence.
This is not about taking technology away from young people. Social media is a part of how our children communicate, learn and interact with the world. But we cannot ignore the ways these platforms can affect their sleep, mental health, development and ability to focus.
Parents should not have to take on technology companies alone. When platforms are designed to keep young people online, the government has a responsibility to establish reasonable protections and make sure families have the tools they need.
We also cannot wait for another lawsuit or another settlement before we act. The fact that states across the country, New York State and New York City are all working to address this issue demonstrates how pressing it has become.
We are seeing action at every level of government because protecting young people online requires action at every level of government.My legislation is part of that larger effort. Int. 0450 would establish stronger protections and limits, while Int. 0451 would help us better understand the problem and develop policies based on what we learn. The Meta settlement shows that change is possible. New York State’s SAFE for Kids Act shows that we can put protections into law. Now, New York City must continue doing its part.
Our children deserve a digital environment that supports their health, safety, education and development; not one that puts engagement and profits ahead of their well-being.
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