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NY SAFE Act

New York SAFE for Kids Act

Restricts algorithmically personalized ("addictive") feeds and overnight notifications for under-18 users without parental consent.

Jurisdiction

New York State

Enacted

Jun 20, 2024

Effective

Jan 25, 2027

Enforcement

New York State Attorney General

Final implementing rules released July 28, 2026 and published in the State Register July 29, 2026; obligations take effect January 25, 2027 (180 days after publication).

NY Senate

Why It Matters

Targets algorithmic amplification specifically. "Addictive feeds" framing may influence other state approaches.

Recent Developments

Attorney General James and Governor Hochul released the final SAFE for Kids Act rules on July 28, 2026 (State Register publication July 29). The rules require age assurance before minors can receive algorithmic feeds or nighttime notifications (with at least one non-government-ID method), default chronological feeds from followed accounts for under-18 users, no notifications to minors between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. without parental authorization, and parental-consent flows that cannot block a non-consenting minor from general platform access. Compliance is required from January 25, 2027.

At a Glance

Applies to

Social PlatformRecommender System Minors-focused

Harms addressed

Who Must Comply

  • Online platforms with addictive feed features

Safety Provisions

  • Restricts algorithmic feeds for minors without parental consent
  • Restricts overnight notifications for minors
  • Requires age assurance and consent flows

Compliance & Enforcement

Key Dates

Dec 1, 2025

Comment period closed for proposed rulemaking

Jul 29, 2026

Final rules published in the State Register

Jan 25, 2027

Final rules take effect; age assurance, default chronological feeds, and nighttime notification limits become enforceable

Penalties

$5K/violation

View on map

New York State

Focus Areas

Child safety
Algorithmic accountability

Cite This

APA

New York State. (2024). New York SAFE for Kids Act.

Related Regulations

Pending US-NY

NY Kids Chatbot Safety Act

Would amend the General Business Law to prohibit operators of AI companions from providing 'unsafe AI companion features' to minors, and to require an age-determination method that does not rely on government-issued identification.

Enacted US-IL

IL HB 5511

Requires covered operators of online platforms to apply protective default settings to users they know to be minors, including limits on algorithmic feeds, a 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. notification curfew and no autoplay by default on addictive social media platforms, and establishes a device-level age-bracket signal that Internet-enabled device manufacturers must provide and operators must request. Announced by the Governor as the Children's Social Media Safety Act, the title of the bill as introduced. Enforced by the Attorney General.

Enacted US-NJ

NJ Kids Code

Codifies a New Jersey Age-Appropriate Design Code requiring covered online service providers to design services likely to be accessed by minors around minors' safety and wellbeing, including high-privacy defaults, limits on engagement-maximising design features, and data protection impact assessments. Enforced by the Attorney General with a private right of action for minors and their parents.

Enacted US-NY

NY RAISE Act

Requires large AI developers of frontier models operating in New York to create safety protocols, report critical incidents within 72 hours, conduct annual reviews, and undergo independent audits. Creates dedicated DFS office funded by developer fees.

Enacted US-IA

IA SF 2417

Establishes requirements and guidelines for conversational AI services including AI disclosure to minors, prohibition on sexually explicit content for minors, prevention of deceptive human-like interactions, and parental controls for children under 13.

Enacted US-CO

CO HB 1263

Imposes obligations on conversational AI service operators including minor-user protections, suicide and self-harm protocols, prohibition on emotional dependence and engagement gamification, and annual safeguard reporting.

Last updated August 9, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.