New York State to require warning labels on social media platforms

New York State social media platforms to display warning labels similar to those found on cigarettes. was adopted by the and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday. It will apply to all platforms offering infinite scrolling, autoplay, countdowns or algorithmic feeds. The labels will warn users of the platform about potential harm to the mental health of young users.

Social media companies will be required to display these warning labels when a user first interacts with one of the features the state considers predatory. The warning will also be displayed periodically after this interaction.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our children from the potential dangers of social media features that encourage excessive use,” said Governor Hochul. . The law will apply when any of these platforms are accessible from New York. Governor Hochul also signed two invoices enacted last year in an effort to protect children from social media.

Concerns about the effects of social media platforms on the mental health of young users have grown, and government agencies have taken more and more action. A bill similar to that in New York was . This year became the first country to ban social media for children, with soon to follow.

Last year, the U.S. surgeon general must be accompanied by warning labels and prominently displayed linking social media use to increased anxiety and depression among young people. The risks of social media use on children’s mental health are and are always .

We’ve reached out to Meta, Snap, and TikTok for comment and will update if we receive a response.