Hochul addresses online safety, mental health of kids

NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul reinforced her commitment to protecting the mental health of kids and teenagers by making it a top priority to enact nation-leading legislation addressing online safety and the harmful impacts of social media in the final weeks of the 2024 State Legislative Session.

According to a press release from the governor’s office, Hochul also highlighted significant progress in bringing mental health care and resources directly to more young people in their homes, schools and communities statewide.

“Each generation faces unique challenges – and our kids are facing a mental health crisis that requires us to confront the complexities of the digital age,” Hochul said in the release. “New York will continue leading the nation by combatting addictive social media algorithms, protecting kids online and ensuring they can get the support they need.”

Hochul was recently joined today by Jarret Hova, Senior Advisor and Policy Counsel to Attorney General James; Melinda Person, President of the New York State United Teachers; Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic to declare a strong commitment to advancing two pieces of legislation by the end of the Legislative Session in June.

The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act will restrict the addictive features of social media and the New York Child Data Protection Act will restrict the collection of minors’ personal data by online sites.

According to the release, James has been a key partner with Hochul in leading this effort, as the two stood together in October to introduce both bills alongside the sponsors.

Additionally, a young person spoke today to share her lived experience with these important issues. Mekka Vasquez, a high school student from Schenectady County, spoke in support of enacting the social media legislation as quickly as possible, and talked about the positive impacts of getting help from her district’s school-based mental health clinic satellite.

“Children’s mental health and privacy should not be jeopardized and monetized,” James said in the release. “Young New Yorkers are struggling with record levels of anxiety and depression, and this legislation is the best way forward to protect children online and I am confident it will stand up to legal scrutiny.

“I applaud the bill sponsors and thank Governor Hochul for closely coordinating with my office to move this legislation forward and raise awareness of this important issue. I am proud that New York is once again leading the way on advancing historic and impactful legislation, and hope other states follow suit so all children will benefit from these commonsense protections.”

“For kids these days, social media is part of our life – but it can also be too distracting, overwhelming and stressful,” Vasquez said. “I’m glad the Governor and lawmakers are taking action on this issue because every kid across our state should be safe on social media.”

As part of her $1 billion investment in mental health statewide, Hochul expanded access to mental health care and resources for young people and their families. This focus on youth supports and services continued with additional investments secured by the Governor in the FY 2025 Enacted Budget.

Hochul took steps in her Enacted Budget to expand mental health support for children across the state and ensure their voices are heard, making good on an agenda she unveiled in her State of the State address in January.

She announced $20 million in start-up funding for school-based mental health clinics and launched a rolling application, which will make it easier for interested schools to establish these satellites than through the state procurement process previously used. The announcement built on the $5.1 million awarded in November to support 137 new school-based clinics, including 82 at high-needs schools, and bringing the total number of clinics to more than 1,200 statewide.

Last year, Hochul also conducted a state-wide listening tour with young New Yorkers and hosted the first-ever state Summit on Youth Mental Health. Following the June 2023 summit, the State released a Youth Mental Health Listening Tour Report, which highlighted some of the key themes incorporated in the recommendations provided by more than 200 participants statewide.

Also, Hochul is expanding the Youth ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) program to ensure resources and supports are available for more youth and families. These teams enable young people struggling with mental illness to stay in their homes and school communities, rather than receiving treatment in residential and inpatient settings.

The FY 2025 Enacted Budget includes $9.6 million to add 12 new teams statewide.