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Hochul proposes sweeping laws to protect kids from online dangers and AI bots
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jan 6, 2026
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Jan 6, 2026
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Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday unveiled a new legislative package aimed at shielding kids from online predators, manipulative AI chatbots and harmful social media features.
The proposals, part of her 2026 State of the State agenda, would also expand mental health training to every 10th grader in New York.
It’s the latest step in the state’s effort to regulate minors’ use of social media, which the U.S. Surgeon General has linked to anxiety, depression and disrupted sleep, and which New York City has deemed a public health hazard.
The plan builds on previous actions, including banning smartphones in classrooms and requiring warning labels on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Under the new measures, platforms would need to strengthen age verification processes and allow parents to monitor the financial transactions of underage users.
The legislation would also require social media sites to disable AI chatbot features for minors and set the highest privacy settings by default — including disabling location tracking and restricting who can contact young users.
“These proposals will create a nation-leading standard that will ensure our kids’ safety in online and real-world environments where they spend time,” Hochul said in a statement Monday.
The governor is also proposing to make teen mental health first aid training available to all 10th graders statewide, as well as offering new training for adults who work with youth in schools and community programs.
TikTok and Meta — which also owns Instagram — did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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Politics
education
new york state
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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