Governor Hochul signs new legislation requiring social media platforms to display warning labels about mental health risks

New York – Governor Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation aimed at bringing greater transparency to social media use, especially for young people, as New York continues to grapple with a growing youth mental health crisis. The measure will require certain social media platforms to display clear warning labels about features that can encourage excessive and prolonged use.

The legislation, known as S4505/A5346, was signed after Governor Hochul negotiated a chapter amendment to strengthen its scope. Under the new law, social media companies that offer features such as addictive feeds, auto play, or infinite scroll will be required to post warning labels directly on their platforms. These warnings are intended to alert users, particularly younger ones, about the potential mental health risks tied to these design features.

State officials say the new requirement builds on the governor’s broader efforts to address mental health challenges among children and adolescents across New York. Lawmakers and advocates have increasingly raised concerns that certain digital features are intentionally designed to keep users engaged for long periods, often without regard for emotional or psychological well-being.

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“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,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers deserve transparency. With the amount of information that can be shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health and take the steps necessary to ensure that people are aware of any potential risks.”

Recent research has added urgency to the issue. Studies show that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression. Surveys also indicate that roughly half of adolescents report feeling worse about their bodies after using social media. Teenagers with the highest levels of social media use are nearly twice as likely to describe their overall mental health as poor or very poor.

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Supporters of the legislation say warning labels are a familiar and effective tool for public awareness. Similar consumer warnings already appear on a wide range of products, from tobacco packaging that highlights cancer risks to plastic bags that warn about suffocation hazards for small children. Labels are also used on certain food products to flag high sugar or sodium levels, on alcohol to warn about pregnancy risks and impaired driving, and on video games or media to caution users with photosensitive epilepsy about flashing lights.

Under the new law, social media companies will be required to show warning labels when a young user first encounters a harmful feature and again at regular intervals if use continues. Importantly, users will not be able to bypass or click through the warnings, ensuring that the message cannot be easily ignored or dismissed.

Lawmakers involved in drafting the legislation say the goal is not to ban social media but to give families clearer information so they can make better decisions. The labels are designed to raise awareness at moments when users are most likely to be drawn deeper into prolonged scrolling or repeated viewing.

Assemblymember Nily Rozic emphasized the importance of honesty and public health in the digital space. “New York families deserve honesty about how social media platforms impact mental health. By requiring warning labels based on the latest medical research, this law puts public health first and finally gives us the tools we need to make informed decisions. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation alongside Senator Gounardes as part of our broader effort to create a safer digital environment for kids.”

As the law takes effect, New York becomes one of the first states to directly require warning labels tied to specific social media features. State leaders say the move reflects a growing recognition that online platforms play a powerful role in daily life, especially for young users, and that transparency is a necessary step toward protecting mental health in an increasingly digital world.