Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Internet Safety Month in the State of New York
Summary
This resolution memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026 as Internet Safety Month in New York State, in conjunction with the national observance. It is a nonbinding commemorative measure that does not create new regulatory requirements or appropriations; instead, it expresses the Legislature’s support for public awareness efforts around online safety.
The resolution cites a range of statistics and examples to explain why internet safety remains a public concern, including cyberbullying, online exploitation of children, elder fraud, phishing, identity theft, hacked social media accounts, and data breaches. It also highlights common protective practices such as multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, software updates, and recognizing phishing attempts, and references the role of national organizations and government agencies in promoting awareness and resources.
Impact
Because this is a memorializing resolution, its legal impact on state law is minimal: it does not amend the Education Law, Penal Law, General Business Law, or any other statute, and it does not impose duties on agencies, schools, businesses, or residents. Its practical effect is to encourage statewide public education and awareness campaigns about internet safety, especially for children, teens, and older adults who are identified as vulnerable to online harms.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment is strongly supportive and preventive. The resolution frames internet safety as an important public-interest issue and emphasizes kindness, awareness, and personal responsibility online. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so no formal opposition is reflected in the available record.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided context. If any concerns were raised, they are not captured here; however, resolutions of this type can sometimes prompt discussion about whether symbolic proclamations are the best use of legislative attention versus more direct policy action. In this case, the text itself presents the measure as a broad awareness initiative rather than a regulatory proposal.