NY Governor Roblox Safety Push 2026: States Take Lead on Kid's Tech Regulation
NY Governor Kathy Hochul targets Roblox in a new 2026 online safety push. Explore New York's plan for age verification and parental controls amidst federal inaction.
While Congress remains deadlocked, New York is moving fast. Governor Kathy Hochul is making kids' online safety a cornerstone of her administration, turning her gaze toward a platform that has long escaped intense scrutiny: Roblox.
NY Governor Roblox Safety Initiatives for 2026
Hochul announced a sweeping plan to expand online parental controls and mandated age verification, which she'll tout during her State of the State address this Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The initiative draws heavily from legislation crafted by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic, aimed at plugging the regulatory gaps in current digital safety laws.
According to reports from The Verge, states have become the primary drivers of internet reform as federal progress has stagnated. New York's move signals a shift where individual states dictate the terms of engagement for massive gaming and social platforms.
Why Roblox is the New Regulatory Frontier
With over 70 million daily active users—many of them under the age of 13—Roblox represents a unique challenge for regulators. Unlike traditional social media, its metaverse environment blends gaming, social interaction, and commerce, making parental supervision complex. Hochul's plan intends to give parents more granular control over these interactions.
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