Governor Cuomo proposes measure to further protect children from convicted sex offenders who use social media to exploit victims

ALBANY, NY- Governor Cuomo wants legislation that would prevent convicted sex offenders from using social media accounts, dating apps and video game chat functions to exploit children.

This announcement was revealed as the 11th proposal of the 2020 State of the State agenda. "Protecting New York's children is our top priority and we cannot let technological advances become entryways that allow dangerous online predators to identify and prey on new victims," the Governor said. "Our laws must keep pace with the world around us and with this measure we will help safeguard those using these web sites and apps, and stop those who seek to harm and exploit our children once and for all."

If passed and signed into law, this measure would build on New York's nation-leading e-STOP law, which passed in 2008 and requires sex offenders to register certain online activities with the state.

It would require all sex offenders to affirmatively disclose their screenname for each social media account or dating/gaming app they utilize to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, compared to only giving an email address they use for those accounts.