New York looking to restrict social media for kids under 18

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — The U.S. surgeon general announced a new push Monday for warning labels on social media platforms.

BACKGROUND: Surgeon general calls for social media warning labels amid youth mental health ’emergency’

This comes as a landmark bill in the New York State Senate and Assembly passed earlier this month that looks to restrict social media for anyone under the age of 18.

For better or for worse, social media is a part of almost everyone’s lives. It lets you stay connected with the world, and algorithms can tailor your feed to things you like.

Those algorithms are something Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to do away with for kids under the age of 18.

The bill proposed earlier this month blames algorithms that tailor feeds to a person’s interests for having devastating effects on children and teenagers.

BACKGROUND: New York considers regulating what children see in social media feeds

This is something Adam Kovacevich, CEO and founder of Chamber of Progress, argues.

“I think, unfortunately, some people got it in lawmakers heads that algorithms are the problem, when I believe algorithms are actually what makes social media healthier for teenagers,” he said.

According to Kovachevich, teenagers do want social media to tailor to their interests. A study by Common Sense Media found that teenagers they surveyed want to deprioritize spam content.

Yet, some in Rochester are uncomfortable with targeted content.

“There have been some scary times when me and my dad are talking about certain golf clubs, and then I get a video of that golf club,” said Evan Lukasiewicz of Webster.

Lukasiewicz’s friend, James Vincent, says he’s had similar experiences.

“It’s a little uncomfortable,” Vincent said. “It feels like the companies are just listening to us all the time. It’s very stressful.”

The warning labels the U.S. surgeon general is pushing for would advise parents that the platform may damage their kid’s mental health.

Kovacevich feels like politicians aren’t listening to the people directly affected by the bill.

“For many teenagers, it’s actually the way they’re staying more connected to their peers,” said Kovacevich. “So, I think the picture is a lot more nuanced than policymakers really took the time to understand.”

MORE: New York could look to ban smartphones in schools

Webster teen John Knapic-Clauser finds social media companies knowing his likes and dislikes a little unnerving.

“You kind of question how these people know that I’m looking at this stuff, and who has my history and stuff online,” he said. “It’s kind of scary to think about that.”

The algorithm bill proposed earlier this month still needs to be signed by Gov. Hochul, but she and New York Attorney General Letitia James have backed the proposition in the past.

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