(WNY News Now) – New York – In a significant move to safeguard children’s mental health, the New York State Legislature has passed the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act. NYSUT President Melinda Person hailed the passage, emphasizing the pressing need for such measures. NYSUT has backed both bills since their introduction last fall:
“Educators see the harmful effects of social media on our kids every day, and this legislation is a tremendous first step toward ensuring these influences remain in their proper places. We are grateful to the Legislature, the Attorney General and the governor for championing the mental health of our students as they navigate our rapidly changing world online.
These platforms have potential to enhance teaching, learning and connectivity in our classrooms, but should never risk our children’s health or safety. New York can lead the nation in creating protections for the mental and physical wellness of the future generation, and this is just the beginning.”
These newly enacted laws aim to mitigate the negative impacts of social media, balancing its educational potential against the risk it poses to children’s health and safety. The legislation represents New York’s commitment to leading the nation in child mental and physical wellness protections.
To further this mission, NYSUT will host “Disconnected,” a conference in September that will gather educators, mental health experts, union leaders, school administrators, parents, elected officials, and advocates. The conference will focus on developing strategies and solutions to address the effects of cell phones, social media, and technology on children and education.
Leave a Reply