Albany, New York – Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday unveiled a series of proposals aimed at protecting teenagers online and addressing rising mental health concerns, including new parental controls, privacy safeguards, and expanded mental health training for high school students. The proposals will be part of Hochul’s upcoming State of the State address on January 13.
Hochul emphasized that the legislation would give teens “the tools and safeguards they need to contend with the unprecedented mental health challenges and real-world dangers” associated with social media.
Stricter Social Media Requirements
The governor’s plan includes several measures for social media platforms and online gaming sites, including:
- Age verification requirements for new users
- Setting children’s accounts to the highest privacy settings by default
- Requiring children under 13 to obtain parental approval for new connections
“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.
These proposals will require legislative approval before taking effect. They build on previous initiatives: in 2024, Hochul signed bills that banned social media platforms from exposing teens to addictive algorithmic content without parental consent and prohibited suggested posts to minors without approval.
New York also joined states like California, Minnesota, Texas, and Colorado in requiring social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to display warning labels for minors about features designed to be addictive. The tech industry is expected to challenge these regulations.
Teen Mental Health First Aid Training
Another key component of Hochul’s plan is expanding access to Teen Mental Health First Aid training for all 10th-grade students. The nationally recognized curriculum aims to:
- Introduce common mental health challenges among youth
- Review typical adolescent development
- Teach a 5-step action plan for helping peers in crisis or non-crisis situations
The training would serve over 180,000 students annually, focusing on young people ages 15 to 18, helping them identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health or substance use issues among friends and peers.
Addressing a Growing National Concern
Social media platforms are increasingly being linked to rising rates of depression, suicidality, and other mental health issues among youth nationwide. A recent Gallup poll found that at least 51% of American teens use social media apps for four hours or more per day.
Hochul’s proposals aim to strengthen protections for minors while giving them practical tools to support themselves and peers, in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on adolescent mental health.
Upcoming State of the State Address
Governor Hochul is scheduled to deliver her State of the State address on January 13 in the Assembly chamber in Albany, where she will outline further details about her proposals and legislative priorities for 2026.
Do you think stricter social media controls will help protect teens’ mental health? Should Teen Mental Health First Aid training be mandatory in high schools? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
