The Peru Gazette

Albany, March 4, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has received the top spot in a national ranking for technology laws that are keeping kids safe online. The Anxious Generation Movement (TAG) analyzed state policies across the nation in a new study called “The Childhood Index,” a first-of-its-kind ranking of all 50 states on how well their tech laws and policies support healthy, flourishing childhoods, both online and offline. This honor recognizes Governor Hochul’s nation-leading online safety efforts, including the SAFE for Kids Act, the New York Child Data Protection Act, social media warning labels law, safeguards for AI Companions, distraction-free learning, and her Safe by Design proposal that is part of the FY27 Executive Budget.

“As New York’s first mom governor, I’m proud that we are leading the nation in keeping kids safe online,” Governor Hochul said. “From groundbreaking restrictions on addictive social media feeds and data collection from minors to guardrails on AI chatbots and a bell to bell school cellphone ban, we are putting our kids first. These pioneering policies ensure our kids are shielded from predators, scammers and harmful algorithms, setting a gold standard other states can follow. We will keep pushing forward so every child can thrive safely in today’s digital world.”

The Anxious Generation New York Times Bestselling Author Jonathan Haidt said, “At its heart, The Anxious Generation Movement is about reclaiming childhood — not about screens or content moderation. The Childhood Index reflects that focus by asking a simple question: Are we building environments that allow kids to flourish?”