Dear Legislator,  

I am writing to you as a concerned constituent to express my strong support for the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act. I urge you to pass these crucial pieces of legislation to protect our children from the harmful effects of excessive social media use and invasive data collection practices. 

Research has shown that young people spend an average of nine hours per day online, which can lead to a myriad of issues, including disrupted sleep cycles, poor self-esteem, and reduced engagement in activities essential for healthy development. The SAFE Act (S.7694/A.8148) will limit minors' access to social media companies' algorithmic, or "addictive" feeds, and strengthen parental controls. The New York Child Data Protection Act (S.7695-A/A.8149) will prohibit online platforms from collecting and selling a minor's data without consent. These bills are essential to creating a safer online environment for our children. 

Social media platforms are designed to purposefully addict minors, and multiple studies have demonstrated a direct correlation between the explosion of social media and the rise in rates of self-harm, anxiety, depression, and suicide among children and teens. As a society, we must take action to protect our most vulnerable population from these harmful effects. 

I implore you to prioritize the well-being of our children and support the passage of the SAFE for Kids Act and the New York Child Data Protection Act. By doing so, you will be taking a significant step towards ensuring that our children can safely navigate the digital world and grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults. 

Thank you for your time and consideration of this critical matter. 

Sincerely,