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In a move to address the growing mental health concerns among children and teens, this month New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new ‘Unplug and Play’ initiative during her State of the State address. The program is designed to help parents combat the negative impacts of excessive screen time by providing more opportunities for kids to engage in outdoor activities, art programs, sports, civic engagement and community events.
Research has shown a significant correlation between excessive screen time and negative impacts on youth mental health, with higher screen time associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety; kids who exceed 2-3 hours a day are more likely to report lower psychological wellbeing and higher risk of mental health issues.
With a focus on rebuilding the state’s social infrastructure, Governor Hochul aims to steer children away from harmful online influences and encourage physical, emotional and social development through direct, in-person interaction. She stated: “It’s time to let our kids just be kids again. Studies show that access to recreational opportunities improves outcomes for kids. That’s why we’re investing in the social infrastructure to help our kids get offline and connect in person.”
Hochul outlined three major grant programs to enhance recreational infrastructure:
- NY BRICKS: This program will fund municipalities and nonprofits in building or renovating community centers that promote physical health, mental wellbeing and community connections. Priority will be given to low-income areas offering services like childcare and mental health counseling.
- NY PLAYS: This initiative will ensure children have safe spaces to play, helping reduce anxiety and depression. Research shows that access to well-maintained playgrounds can reduce anxiety and depression by 20%. Many low-income communities currently lack such spaces.
- NY SWIMS: This program will invest an additional $50 million for pool projects, complementing the $150 million in the previous NY SWIMS initiative. A new program will also offer free swim lessons to children aged four and under, addressing water safety and preventing childhood drownings.
The initiative builds on previous projects, including the 2024 ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ campaign which encouraged children to engage in outdoor activities for better physical and mental health. The new ‘Get Offline, Get Outside 2.0’ initiative will significantly expand youth programming across New York, creating opportunities for kids to participate in a range of activities including sports, music lessons, drama, debate clubs and community volunteer opportunities. By partnering with municipalities and nonprofits, the state aims to make these programs more affordable, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to participation.
The governor also announced new measures to protect children from predatory and harmful online content:
- To combat misinformation, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) will develop a Teacher’s Guide and public campaign to teach students how to critically evaluate online information.
- The governor proposed updating the penal law to treat AI-generated child sexual abuse material as child pornography, addressing the growing concern over AI tools that manipulate images to create explicit content.
- As AI-driven chatbots become more prevalent, the governor called for legislation to ensure companies implement safety features to protect children from harmful interactions and remind users they are engaging with machines, not humans.
Governor Hochul’s ‘Unplug and Play’ has been called a bold effort to ensure the wellbeing of New York’s youth. By investing in recreational infrastructure, expanding youth programs and implementing digital protections, the state hopes to foster healthier, more connected communities.
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