New York Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a sweeping plan to expand online parental controls and age verification, with a focus on regulating the popular social gaming platform Roblox. The proposal aims to protect children from predators by requiring platforms to verify users' ages and keep kids' accounts on high privacy settings.
Hochul's plans draw from a piece of legislation crafted by state Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, which was introduced in 2024 as the New York Children’s Online Safety Act (NYCOSA). The bill aims to address the lack of oversight for online gaming platforms like Roblox, where more than 40 percent of users are reportedly under age 13.
Under Hochul's proposal, platforms would be required to implement safety tools and systems that address the unique needs of children. This includes measures such as disabling AI chatbot features for kids and requiring parents to be able to limit financial transactions on their children's accounts.
The move has been welcomed by advocates for online safeguards, who argue that children's online activities have become a hunting ground for predators. However, some industry players and civil liberties groups have expressed concerns about the proposal, citing potential risks of increased data collection and chilling adults' speech online.
Roblox spokesperson Eric Porterfield has stated that the company is already COPPA-compliant and has implemented safety tools and systems to address the needs of children. The company has also rolled out new requirements for users to undergo a facial scan to estimate their age in order to access its chat features.
Hochul's plan marks a significant step forward in regulating online platforms, as states have become increasingly important drivers of internet reforms aimed at protecting children. While the proposal faces opposition from some quarters, many advocates are praising Hochul's efforts to expand online safeguards for kids.
Hochul's plans draw from a piece of legislation crafted by state Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, which was introduced in 2024 as the New York Children’s Online Safety Act (NYCOSA). The bill aims to address the lack of oversight for online gaming platforms like Roblox, where more than 40 percent of users are reportedly under age 13.
Under Hochul's proposal, platforms would be required to implement safety tools and systems that address the unique needs of children. This includes measures such as disabling AI chatbot features for kids and requiring parents to be able to limit financial transactions on their children's accounts.
The move has been welcomed by advocates for online safeguards, who argue that children's online activities have become a hunting ground for predators. However, some industry players and civil liberties groups have expressed concerns about the proposal, citing potential risks of increased data collection and chilling adults' speech online.
Roblox spokesperson Eric Porterfield has stated that the company is already COPPA-compliant and has implemented safety tools and systems to address the needs of children. The company has also rolled out new requirements for users to undergo a facial scan to estimate their age in order to access its chat features.
Hochul's plan marks a significant step forward in regulating online platforms, as states have become increasingly important drivers of internet reforms aimed at protecting children. While the proposal faces opposition from some quarters, many advocates are praising Hochul's efforts to expand online safeguards for kids.
. They're already trying to collect more data on kids and now they're going to chill adults' speech? Sounds like a trap to me 
. And what about the facial scan thingy? That's just creepy 
. I'm sure it's all just a bunch of hooey to get governments off their backs, but I'm not buying it 
. We're gonna end up with Big Brother watching our every move online 
. Mark my words, this is just the beginning...
but seriously, whats up with the age thing on roblox tho? like cant parents just set their own limits or what? and whats wrong with ai chatbots anyway? im not saying theyre bad or anything, but is it really necessary to disable them on kids accounts? 
40% of Roblox users under 13? that's not even like, a typical gaming platform demographic right? it's a social game, people are there to hang out and chat with friends not to get harassed by strangers. I'm not saying safety measures aren't needed but come on, can't we just, like, have a conversation about this instead of creating a whole new set of regulations? 
. As a wellness guru, I've been warning people about the dangers of online predators and how they can affect our little ones 
. It's crazy that over 40% of Roblox users are under 13! That's like, totally vulnerable 
.
. It's about time we started taking online safety seriously 
. The fact that Roblox already has some safety tools in place is great 
, but this new proposal is like, the next level of protection 
.
. Let's keep those little ones safe online! 
. Anyway, I think it's about time we do something about these platforms letting kids just sign up without any adult supervision 
It's like they're giving predators a free pass 
.
. I'm kinda glad Hochul is taking a stand here, 'cause kids online are just super vulnerable 
. But at the same time, it's like, what about free speech and all that? 
. Do we really want to be living in a world where our age is being constantly verified? I think it's already creepy enough that they're tracking our online activity...
. While I appreciate Governor Hochul's efforts to expand online parental controls and age verification, I do have some concerns about the potential risks of increased data collection 
. Maybe instead of implementing new facial scan requirements, platforms could focus on developing AI-powered tools that can detect suspicious behavior and flag potential predators 
? Let's work towards creating a safer online space for children, while also preserving the freedom to express ourselves online 
. Still, I guess it's a step in the right direction to protect kids from predators online... but can't we find a way to do that without sacrificing all the fun and freedom of the gaming world? 
! As a parent myself, I know how scary it can be when you realize your kid has been talking to some random person on Roblox 
. We need to be more proactive about safeguarding their online experiences so they can grow up in a safe space 
.