This month, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered a transformative State of the State address that signaled a paradigm shift in how New York views the responsibility of Big Tech. Addressing the growing crisis of digital safety, the Governor has signaled that the era of self-regulation for social media and gaming giants is over.
At the heart of her 2026 agenda is a comprehensive suite of proposals aimed at protecting our kids online. From restricting addictive algorithmic feeds to a first-of-its-kind proposal to limit minor access to AI chatbots, Governor Hochul is positioning New York as a national leader in the fight against digital exploitation.
At Anapol Weiss, we have long been at the forefront of holding massive tech corporations accountable for the harm they cause to our youth. As we continue our litigation against platforms like Roblox, which has become a primary site for the grooming and exploitation of minors, we see the Governor’s new agenda not just as a policy shift, but as a validation of the legal battles we fight every day. While Roblox litigation continues to gain momentum nationally, the Governor’s proposals provide a critical framework for why New York families deserve justice.
The 2026 State of the State: A New Guardrail for the Digital Age
Governor Hochul’s 2026 agenda arrives at a critical juncture. For years, social media and gaming platforms have operated in a Wild West environment, where the drive for user engagement (and the resulting advertising revenue) has consistently outweighed the safety of the children using the services.
The Governor’s proposal specifically targets the mechanisms that keep children hooked and vulnerable. Central to this is the evolution of the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act. This legislation aims to:
- Restrict Addictive Algorithmic Feeds: Ensuring that children are not bombarded with content designed by manipulative algorithms to keep them scrolling for hours.
- Enhance the New York Child Data Protection Act: Prohibiting platforms from collecting and selling the personal data of minors without informed consent.
- AI Chatbot & Companion Safeguards: Implementing groundbreaking safeguards to redirect self-harm conversations to crisis resources, disrupt addictive AI interactions, and criminalize the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse materials.
It is this third point, the restriction of AI chatbots, that directly intersects with the current legal landscape surrounding Roblox.
Why Roblox is Under the Microscope
To the uninitiated, Roblox appears to be a harmless digital playground, a place where children can build worlds, play games, and socialize. However, beneath the colorful avatars lies a platform that has been described by many experts as a digital hunting ground.
Roblox is unique because it is not just a game; it is a social network, a marketplace, and a developer platform all in one. Predators have historically used the platform’s chat functions to groom children, often moving them from Roblox’s internal messaging to other dangerous apps like Discord or WhatsApp.
The introduction of AI into these environments has only heightened the risk. AI chatbots can be used to simulate peer-to-peer interaction, making it even harder for children to discern when they are being manipulated or led into dangerous situations. By proposing to restrict these AI interactions, Governor Hochul is acknowledging a reality that Anapol Weiss has highlighted in our litigation: Technology is evolving faster than the safety measures meant to protect our children.
Tying the Legislation to the Anapol Weiss Roblox Case
Anapol Weiss is currently engaged in high-stakes litigation against Roblox, alleging that the platform has failed to implement basic safety protocols, leading to the physical and psychological harm of children. While our firm is active in these cases across the country, we have noted a specific opportunity to bring this fight home to New York.
Historically, tech companies have tried to hide behind Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, claiming they cannot be held liable for the content created by third parties on their platforms. However, Governor Hochul’s 2026 agenda focuses on the design and features of the platform, such as the AI chatbots and the addictive algorithms, rather than just the content.
This aligns perfectly with our cases. We routinely argue that Roblox is not a passive host of content, but a dangerously designed product. When a platform’s architecture allows a predator to bypass filters, or when its AI features facilitate harmful interactions, that is a product defect. Governor Hochul’s focus on the Safe for Kids Act reinforces the legal argument that New York’s children are being subjected to a defective and dangerous digital environment.
The New York Gap: Bringing Justice to the Empire State
Currently, many Roblox-related lawsuits are consolidated or filed in jurisdictions outside of New York. However, the Governor’s recent announcement highlights a growing need for New York-specific legal advocacy.
With the Governor’s 2026 agenda, New York is setting a new standard of care for tech companies. If these proposals become law, any platform that fails to restrict AI chatbots or continues to use addictive algorithms on New York minors will be in direct violation of state policy. This creates a powerful avenue for New York families to seek compensation for the harms their children have suffered.
At Anapol Weiss, we are prepared to bridge this gap. We believe that New York parents whose children have been groomed, exploited, or psychologically harmed via Roblox deserve a voice in their home state. The Governor’s stance provides the legislative teeth that can bolster personal injury and mass tort claims against Big Tech.
Similar Post: Roblox Child Sexual Exploitation Lawsuits Centralized Into MDL In Northern District Of California
The Dangers of AI Chatbots on Online Platforms
The Governor’s specific focus on AI chatbots deserves deeper exploration. In the context of Roblox, AI can be used in several nefarious ways:
- Automated Grooming: Bots can be programmed to engage with thousands of children simultaneously, using psychological tactics to build trust before a human predator takes over.
- Bypassing Filters: AI can adapt its language in real-time to circumvent Roblox’s blacklisted words, allowing for explicit or dangerous conversations that traditional moderation tools would miss.
- Data Mining: AI chatbots are designed to extract information. For a child, a friendly bot asking about their school, their age, or their location can seem like part of the game, while it is actually harvesting data for malicious use.
Governor Hochul’s proposal recognizes that children do not have the cognitive maturity to navigate the complexities of AI-human interaction. By pushing for these restrictions, New York is saying that a child’s safety is more important than a platform’s so-called innovation.
Similar Post: When Roleplay Turns to Risk: Why Roblox “Neighborhood” Games Are Breeding Grounds for Grooming and Abuse
Beyond the Screen: The Real-World Consequences
When we talk about online safety, it is easy to get lost in technical jargon. But at Anapol Weiss, we see the real-world consequences. We represent families whose children have suffered from:
- Severe Depression and Anxiety: Triggered by addictive platform design and social comparison features.
- Sexual Exploitation and Assault: Stemming from grooming that began in Roblox chat rooms.
- Financial Ruin: Due to the predatory nature of Robux and the platform’s in-game economy.
The Governor’s 2026 agenda, including her focus on expanded childcare and youth mental health (as noted in recent reports on her agenda), shows a holistic understanding of the crisis. Protecting kids online is a vital part of protecting their mental and physical well-being offline.
A Call to Action for New York Families
The tide is turning. For too long, companies like Roblox have operated under the assumption that they are too big to sue and that state laws would never catch up to their technology. Governor Kathy Hochul has proven them wrong.
By tying the 2026 State of the State proposals to our ongoing litigation, Anapol Weiss is sending a clear message: The era of tech immunity is ending.
If your child has been harmed by the lack of safety protocols on Roblox, or if they have been targeted by predators through the platform’s chat features, you are not alone. While the Governor works to change the laws for the future, Anapol Weiss is working to secure justice for the harms of the past and present.
New York is leading the nation in policy, and Anapol Weiss is leading the nation in the courtroom. Together, we can ensure that the digital world becomes the safe playground our children deserve.
If you or a loved one has been affected by Roblox exploitation or social media harm, contact Anapol Weiss today at 215-735-1130 for a free consultation. Let us help you navigate the changing legal landscape of the Empire State.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.