Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a series of new legislative proposals aimed at increasing online safety for children and addressing the youth mental health crisis in New York State. The initiatives, unveiled as part of her first State of the State proposals for 2026, include measures to protect children from online predators, scams, and harmful artificial intelligence chatbots on digital platforms.
The proposed legislation would require online platforms to expand age verification processes, especially for gaming sites. It would also set privacy settings for minors to their highest levels by default—restricting messaging and location sharing—and mandate parental approval for connections involving children under 13. Additionally, certain AI chatbot features on social media would be disabled for kids, and parents would gain more control over their children’s financial transactions online. These proposals build on previous efforts such as banning smartphones in schools and enacting warning labels about social media’s impact on mental health.
“As New York’s first mom Governor, the well-being and safety of our children has always been one of my top priorities, and today we are continuing to break new ground to give our kids the tools and safeguards they need to contend with the unprecedented mental health challenges and real world dangers that can sometimes be a byproduct of navigating today’s digital world,” Governor Hochul said. “These proposals will create a nation-leading standard that will ensure our kids’ safety in online and real world environments where they spend time.”
The legislative package draws from bills sponsored by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic. Online platforms have faced lawsuits alleging insufficient protection for young users against grooming, abuse, and exposure to harmful content.
New York Attorney General Letitia James commented: “Online platforms like Roblox are enabling unsafe environments for children, including allowing predators to send explicit messages to children. We urgently need to pass crucial online safety protections to stop predators from exploiting children and create safer online environments for children to play. I am proud to continue working with Governor Hochul, Senator Gounardes, and Assemblymember Rozic to push for nation-leading legislation that will protect children and families online.”
Senator Andrew Gounardes added: “It’s a grim reality of the modern internet: the online platforms where our kids spend so much time are failing to protect them from predators. From toys to food to cars, we regulate all sorts of products to keep children safe. There’s no reason platforms like Roblox should be different. This proposal sends a clear message that New York will always prioritize our kids’ safety over Big Tech’s profits. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her partnership on this important proposal.”
Assemblymember Nily Rozic stated: “Protecting kids online means more than limiting harm. It means empowering them with knowledge, skills, and resources. This legislation responds directly to the concerns parents like me have raised about harmful and addictive online design, and it gives us the tools to hold companies accountable. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for listening to parents across our state and taking decisive action to protect our kids’ mental health and well-being.”
James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media said,“Common Sense Media applauds Governor Hochul’s inclusion of these important new children’s online safety protections in her State of the State proposal and we thank Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Rozic for their leadership on this issue. The online games kids play and the social media platforms they use for hours and hours a day have become veritable hunting grounds for predators. Kids and teens need these new protections now more than ever.”
Julie Scelfo, Founder & Executive Director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), said: “These common-sense proposals by Governor Hochul will better safeguard New York’s youth from the harms of addictive and manipulative tech, and help put an end to the ongoing national emergency in child and adolescent mental health. The parents of the MAMA movement are grateful for the Governor’s continued national leadership on this issue, and we look forward to working with her and with the State Legislature to enact policies that protect our kids.”
“These proposals will create a nation-leading standard that will ensure our kids’ safety in online and real world environments where they spend time.” — Governor Kathy Hochul
In addition to internet safety measures, Governor Hochul is proposing an expansion of Teen Mental Health First Aid training statewide. The initiative aims eventually to make this training available annually to more than 180,000 students in 10th grade across New York State so most high school students can recognize signs of mental health or substance use issues among peers.
This program targets young people aged 15-18 years old with skills necessary both for recognizing symptoms related to mental health or substance abuse challenges as well as how bullying or violence may affect student wellbeing; it also teaches effective communication strategies regarding these issues.
Adults who work regularly with youth in schools or community programs would also receive Youth Mental Health First Aid training through a nationally recognized curriculum focused on adolescent development alongside intervention strategies.
Dr. Ann Sullivan from New York State Office of Mental Health noted: “In our discussions with young people about mental health issues, one consistent thread became clear — youth reach out to their peers when they are in distress. Teen Mental Health First Aid helps young New Yorkers talk with their classmates and friends about mental health issues and provides them with the know-how to get them help when it is needed. By expanding this program, Governor Hochul is continuing her steadfast commitment to improving youth mental health and providing our young people with the skills they can rely on to live and thrive among the challenges they face today.”
Chuck Ingoglia (President & CEO) along with Tramaine EL-Amin (Vice President) at National Council for Mental Wellbeing stated: “This announcement represents a historic and transformative investment in youth mental health. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her bold leadership…By expanding teen Mental Health First Aid…New York is setting a powerful national standard — normalizing conversations about mental health…equipping an entire generation with critical…skills…”
Governor Hochul’s latest efforts build upon previous state actions such as implementing restrictions against addictive social media features through laws like SAFE For Kids Act; passing data protection rules; introducing AI-related safeguards; funding recreational spaces via Unplug And Play Agenda; enforcing distraction-free learning policies which have improved academic performance; requiring warning labels on social media regarding potential impacts on youth wellbeing; investing $1 billion into expanding access-to-care infrastructure—including school-based clinics now present at 25% of public schools—and creating advisory boards comprised partly by youths themselves.
Additional recent expansions include Youth Assertive Community Treatment teams serving those returning home from intensive care settings or at risk thereof; Home Based Crisis Intervention Teams supporting families dealing with serious childhood behavioral disorders; establishment/expansion of Youth Safe Spaces offering behavioral wellness resources funded through grants awarded last fall—with further locations planned soon.
