Decoder with Nilay Patel · Monday, August 31, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul asserted that New York's existing laws on social media for minors are more stringent than the terms agreed upon in Meta's recent settlement. She addressed concerns about First Amendment implications, stating that her regulations, such as limiting nighttime notifications for teens, are not restricting speech but protecting youth mental health.
“No, we actually have laws that are more restrictive in New York than what Meta has agreed to.”
“First Amendment is when government is saying that we're limiting your speech, you know, access to information.”
“That having no notifications to you are 13-year-old that keep you awake all night when you're a 13-year-old is not restricting your first Amendment right to free speech.”