New York State is set to introduce mandatory warning labels on social media platforms, drawing comparisons with the health warnings long seen on cigarette packaging. The new requirement follows legislation passed by the New York Legislature in June and signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday.
The law targets platforms that use features such as infinite scrolling, auto-play videos, visible like counts and algorithm-driven feeds. These elements, often criticised for encouraging prolonged use, will now carry warnings alerting users to potential risks to young people’s mental health.
Social media companies will be required to show the warning labels when a user first engages with any feature classified by the state as predatory. The alerts must also reappear at regular intervals after that initial interaction.
New York social media law targets ‘predatory’ platform features
The legislation will apply whenever qualifying social media platforms are accessed from within New York State.
According to officials, the goal is to make users — particularly parents and young people — more aware of the possible psychological impacts associated with prolonged engagement.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our kids from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive use,” Gov. Hochul said in a statement.
The governor previously signed two additional bills last year focused on strengthening protections for children online, signalling a broader push by the state to regulate digital environments affecting young users.
Growing global concern over social media and youth mental health
New York’s move comes amid rising concern worldwide over the impact of social media on children and teenagers. Policymakers and health experts have increasingly pointed to links between heavy platform use and mental health challenges among young people.
Similar legislation has been proposed in California, while international action is also accelerating. Earlier this year, Australia became the first country to ban social media use for children, with Denmark expected to introduce comparable restrictions.
In the United States, the surgeon general last year called for warning labels on social media platforms, citing data that associates usage with higher levels of anxiety and depression in youth.
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However, researchers continue to stress that the mental health effects of social media are complex and influenced by multiple factors still under investigation.
Meta, Snap and TikTok have been contacted for comment. This article will be updated if responses are received.
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