A landmark bill in New York would restrict social media for children. Here’s what you need to know.

New York state is considering landmark legislation that would block tech platforms like Instagram and TikTok from using algorithms for social media feeds viewed by children.

The measure would require social media companies to present posts to children in the order in which they are posted by followed accounts, eliminating the role of algorithms that shape the flow of content.

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, who supports the bill, is close to reaching an agreement with the Legislature for its passage, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

The bill has drawn opposition from some advocacy and industry groups, including TechNet, a trade organization that represents companies including Google, Snap, Meta, Amazon and Apple. TechNet did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.

Supporters of the measure accuse social media algorithms of making young users addictive and harming their mental health. Opponents, on the other hand, say the legislation could worsen content flows by limiting tools that filter harmful speech and risks violating the First Amendment.

Here’s what you need to know about the proposed social media regulations:

What would the measure be used for?

The proposed legislation would restrict the use of algorithms for social media accounts owned by people under the age of 18.

Removing algorithm-powered feeds would reduce the addictiveness of apps and mitigate harm to minors, advocates say.

The bill would also prohibit social media apps from sending notifications to minors late at night and early in the morning without parental consent.

At a press conference in Albany, New York last week, Hochul accused social media companies of “bombarding young people with these absolutely addictive algorithms.”

A Senate version of the bill argues that minors are particularly vulnerable to the addictive quality of social media platforms.

“Children are particularly susceptible to addictive foods because they provide a steady stream of dopamine with each new medium and because they are less able to exercise the impulse control necessary to mitigate these negative effects,” the measure states.

The call for stronger online protections for children gained momentum following revelations in 2021 from then-Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who published an internal study showing that he company understood the danger that Facebook-owned Instagram poses to some teenage girls.

Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned in a new advisory that excessive use of social media could pose a “profound risk” to children’s mental health.

Who are the supporters and opponents of the bill?

The measure is supported by Hochul, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, and a bipartisan group of New York state legislators.

A collection of advocacy groups and teachers unions also support the measure, including the United Federation of Teachers, Mothers Against Media Addiction and the New York Urban League.

The bill, along with another that protects children’s data privacy, offers New York lawmakers “the perfect opportunity to take meaningful action at a pivotal moment in history,” the group said. non-profit organizations in a statement in April.

On the opposing side, a coalition of business and activist groups warns of unintended consequences and the difficulty of verifying the age of app users.

Chamber of Progress, a tech industry organization that receives support from dozens of companies including Meta, Apple and Amazon, has warned that the algorithm and data privacy measures could ultimately worsen social media feeds intended for children.

“Instead of providing teens with a healthier online experience, New York’s bills could prevent platforms from ensuring age-appropriate streams for teens,” the Chamber of Progress states on its website. “This could mean that the most recent post appears at the top of a teen’s News Feed, even if that post is spam, hate speech, or other harmful content.”

The New York Inclusive Internet Coalition, a group that says it represents members of marginalized groups in New York, also criticized the measure as a threat to the community offered by social media platforms.

“We believe that the ability to freely use the internet is an important right, especially for LGBTQ+ youth, undocumented immigrants, young women exercising their reproductive rights, and older adults,” the organization said in a statement.

“We agree that young people in New York are facing a mental health crisis and the importance of examining how young people interact with social media and the potential harm that can result. Yet we believe that focusing on regulating social media algorithms does not address the root causes of this crisis,” the organization added.

What happens next?

New York’s 2024 legislative session ends Thursday, leaving lawmakers with little time to approve the measure. If it passes by then, Hochul is expected to sign the bill.

If it goes into effect, the measure could face legal challenges from tech platforms as well as logistical difficulties centered on the app, said Aynne Kokas, a professor of media studies at the University of Virginia and author of “Trafficking Data: How China is Winning.” the battle for digital sovereignty.

“Any bill at the state level would face challenges when trying to manage or provide oversight over large tech platforms,” ​​Kokas told ABC News. “This is a very difficult and, in many ways, very unfair challenge to face when state governments have ample resources, even in large states like California and New York.”