Hochul takes aim at AI social media chatbots, online gambling in latest kid-protection moves

Gov. Kathy Hochul pushed new privacy laws for kids in Tuesday’s “State of the State” aiming to protect them from predators on social media, add age verification to online gaming platforms and keep kids from getting hooked on gambling.

The promised bills would build off Hochul’s statewide ban on kids having phones in school and other safety measures aiming to curb “addictive” apps such as TikTok and Instagram.

“Let’s block direct messages from would-be child predators, number one. Let’s disable AI chat bots that can cause serious mental health problems,” Hochul said to applause during the address.

Gov. Kathy Hochul giving her “State of the State” address at the state Capitol in Albany on Jan. 13, 2025. Angus Mordant for NY Post

“Let’s block location sharing. Why should they know where our kids are?” she added.

The proposals, which revolve around legislation sponsored by state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens), are the latest in Hochul’s foray into reining in the ills of big tech.

The newest frontier in that fight appears to be online sports betting, particularly among kids under 18.

“Let’s do more to cut off access to online sports gaming so our kids are not ensnared by addiction at a young age,” Hochul said.

The agenda released for Hochul’s speech states she’ll direct the state’s Gaming Commission to explore effective ways to keep kids from illegally downloading betting apps, creating accounts or using others’ accounts.

Hochul proposed new laws to protect children from AI chatbots and predators on social media. kerkezz – stock.adobe.com

Those steps could include the use of biometric approaches, which are fingerprint scanners and face-scanning technology in smartphones.

“It’s an issue certainly and I look forward to work with her on that,” state Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Queens), chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee.

The address was preceded by a visit from Hochul’s green, unsettling anti-phone mascot “Frankie Focus,” who encouraged attendees to silence their devices before confiscating the phone of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx).

“Classrooms are alive with discussion, laughter fills our lunch rooms and Frankie Focus haunts our children’s dreams,” Hochul joked as she touted the success of her kid-protection measures.

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Saratoga) said she believed Hochul “planted a flag.”

“What we are seeing in the state, and really it’s true that they see this everywhere gaming has moved to an online format is just an explosion of problem gambling across all age groups,” Woerner told The Post.