New York Governor Kathy Hochul is pushing for a new regulatory framework that aims to safeguard children's online activities, with a particular focus on the popular social gaming platform Roblox. The move follows years of inaction from Congress, leaving states like New York at the forefront of efforts to protect kids' digital well-being.
As part of her plan, Hochul plans to expand requirements for online platforms to verify users' ages and implement stricter age verification measures for online gaming platforms like Roblox. She also aims to ensure that platforms limit financial transactions on children's accounts without parental consent.
Roblox, which boasts over 40% of its users under the age of 13, has faced criticism from state leaders who argue that the platform is enabling an environment where predators can exploit children. New York Attorney General Letitia James has called for urgent action to pass online safety protections that would prevent predators from preying on children.
However, critics from industry players and civil liberties groups are opposing these measures, citing concerns over data collection and the potential chilling effect on adult speech online. The debate around age verification raises significant constitutional questions under the First Amendment.
Despite these challenges, many advocates for stronger online safeguards welcome Hochul's proposals. They argue that kids' online activities have become a "hunting ground" for predators, and that the new protections are long overdue.
The move reflects Hochul's administration's focus on addressing concerns around kids' mental health and digital well-being. The plan includes initiatives such as expanded mental health clinics in schools and an advisory board comprising 11- to 17-year-olds to inform youth mental health policy.
While some aspects of the proposal may face resistance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is taking a bold step towards creating safer online environments for children. With states stepping into the void left by Congress, it remains to be seen how this move will shape the national conversation around kids' digital safety and online protection.
As part of her plan, Hochul plans to expand requirements for online platforms to verify users' ages and implement stricter age verification measures for online gaming platforms like Roblox. She also aims to ensure that platforms limit financial transactions on children's accounts without parental consent.
Roblox, which boasts over 40% of its users under the age of 13, has faced criticism from state leaders who argue that the platform is enabling an environment where predators can exploit children. New York Attorney General Letitia James has called for urgent action to pass online safety protections that would prevent predators from preying on children.
However, critics from industry players and civil liberties groups are opposing these measures, citing concerns over data collection and the potential chilling effect on adult speech online. The debate around age verification raises significant constitutional questions under the First Amendment.
Despite these challenges, many advocates for stronger online safeguards welcome Hochul's proposals. They argue that kids' online activities have become a "hunting ground" for predators, and that the new protections are long overdue.
The move reflects Hochul's administration's focus on addressing concerns around kids' mental health and digital well-being. The plan includes initiatives such as expanded mental health clinics in schools and an advisory board comprising 11- to 17-year-olds to inform youth mental health policy.
While some aspects of the proposal may face resistance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is taking a bold step towards creating safer online environments for children. With states stepping into the void left by Congress, it remains to be seen how this move will shape the national conversation around kids' digital safety and online protection.
this whole thing about Roblox and kids on the internet is kinda crazy... like, 40% of their users are under 13?! 
that's just asking for problems. I get why they wanna protect kids, but at the same time, you gotta think about free speech and data collection... it's a tricky balance. I'm all for keeping our youth safe online, but let's make sure we're not overreaching here too much. 
. i mean, 40% of roblox users are under 13? that's just crazy talk! 
we need stricter age verification measures ASAP, no more excuses! 
#RobloxSafetyMatters #ProtectOurKidsOnline
her plan sounds like a huge step in the right direction for our kiddos' online safety 
Roblox being so popular among youngins and all the predators lurking around... it's just too much 
at least she's taking action and not leaving it up to Congress, who seems to be MIA on this issue 
. As a parent myself, I'd want my kid to be safe online too 
. A lot of industry players are worried about data collection and free speech, but honestly, can't they see that its just kids we're talking about? We need to protect them, not the corporations 
. States like NY are stepping up where Congress is failing, so kudos to Hochul for taking action 
. Let's hope this becomes a national priority soon! 
! 40% of Roblox users are under 13, that's like, super concerning 
. Let's hope this move sets a national standard for online safety and encourages other states to follow suit 
#KidsDigitalSafety #OnlineProtectionMatters #ProtectOurChildren
By expanding age verification and limiting financial transactions without parental consent, she's really helping to create a safer space for kids online. And let's be real, it's not like this is gonna stifle adult speech or anything 
. Roblox is a huge platform with millions of users, most of whom are just kids, and its already been flagged for predators taking advantage of them 
. Its not just about Roblox, its about creating safer online environments for kids in general 
. We should all be supporting Hochuls efforts and pushing for more robust safeguards 
i'm so hyped about Kathy Hochul's plan to protect kids on Roblox!!! 
like, we need stricter age verification and parental consent on financial transactions, fam! 
, but the move by NY to expand age verification measures and limit financial transactions without parental consent is a total game-changer 
. I mean, we can't let predators ruin our little ones' online experiences 
, so let's make sure we're protecting the most vulnerable among us 
. New York Governor Kathy Hochul is literally saving lives with this proposal 
... umm, what was I sayin? Oh yeah, I heard the data collection thing is a real bummer for our 1st amendment rights 
... hold up, who am I kidding, kids' mental health is super important and we gotta protect 'em 
.
. Don't wanna sacrifice adult freedom of speech for the sake of kids' safety