Governor Kathy Hochul today 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. The Governor 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,” Governor Hochul said. “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.”
The Governor was 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.
Attorney General James has been a key partner with the Governor 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.
New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “Youth today are facing many unique pressures. By expanding the mental health services available in the community and at school, we can ensure these young New Yorkers have access to the meaningful and timely assistance that can help them through the behavioral health issues they encounter. Governor Hochul listens to our youth and provides them with the support they can rely on to address their mental health concerns.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “Children’s mental health and privacy should not be jeopardized and monetized. 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.”
State Senator Andrew Goundardes said, “From city to state, New York is collectively taking charge to protect kids online, and I applaud Governor Hochul for prioritizing the SAFE for Kids Act and the NY Child Data Protection Act in the final weeks of legislative session. Parents across the state, regardless of party politics, support common sense, effective guardrails to protect children and teens on social media. Big Tech can spend all the money they want to defend their profits, but New Yorkers know a safer digital world is possible.”
Assemblymember Nily Rozic said, “We must do all that we can to protect our kids from the harmful influence of addictive algorithms and unchecked data collection, including passing the SAFE for Kids Act and the NY Child Data Protection Act this legislative session. By doing so, we unequivocally signal that New York is taking the lead and putting the wellbeing and safety of New York children at the forefront. I thank Governor Hochul, Attorney General James, and Senator Gounardes for their steadfast efforts in order to protect young people in the digital age.”
New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said, “Teachers know a lot about social media and its impact because it comes into our classrooms. Bullying and students’ inability to focus during class is something that comes up on every school visit that I have across the state. Our members don't want to be the cellphone police or to be constantly confiscating phones from kids. We need the state to take action to address these addictive algorithms, help our students get the support that they need, and get this problem under control.”
Mekka Vasquez, a high school student from Schenectady County, said, “For kids these days, social media is part of our life – but it can also be too distracting, overwhelming and stressful. 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, Governor Hochul has also significantly 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.
Governor 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. The Governor 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, Governor 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, Governor 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.