Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced a new slate of State of the State proposals aimed at protecting children online and addressing New York’s ongoing youth mental health crisis. The package includes new safeguards against online predators, scammers and harmful AI chatbots, along with a first-in-the-nation expansion of Teen Mental Health First Aid training for high school students.
The proposed legislation would strengthen protections for kids on social media and online gaming platforms by expanding age verification requirements, setting children’s accounts to the highest privacy settings by default, disabling certain AI chatbot features for minors and requiring stronger parental controls over financial transactions. The measures are designed to reduce risks such as grooming, exploitation and exposure to harmful or violent content.
In parallel, the governor is proposing a statewide expansion of Teen Mental Health First Aid training, with the goal of making the program available to every 10th grader in New York over time. Once fully phased in, the initiative would reach more than 180,000 students each year, equipping teens with the skills to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in themselves and their peers and to seek appropriate help.
“As New York’s first mom governor, the well-being and safety of our children has always been one of my top priorities, and today we are continuing to break new ground to give our kids the tools and safeguards they need to contend with the unprecedented mental health challenges and real world dangers that can sometimes be a byproduct of navigating today’s digital world,” Hochul said in a statement.
The training reflects research showing that young people often turn first to friends when they are struggling. By giving teens practical tools and shared language around mental health, the state aims to reduce stigma, encourage early intervention and improve outcomes for students facing emotional or psychological challenges.
The proposal also includes expanded Youth Mental Health First Aid training for adults who work closely with young people in schools and community programs, using a nationally recognized curriculum focused on identifying common challenges and responding effectively in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
The latest proposals are intended to position New York as a national leader in both online child safety and youth mental health, while giving young people, families and schools the tools they need to navigate an increasingly digital world more safely, according to officials.
