New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation that will require social media platforms to display warning labels for younger users before they encounter features designed to keep them engaged for extended periods of time.
The bill, officially known as S4505/A5346, was approved by state lawmakers earlier this year and focuses on what the legislation describes as “addictive social media platforms.” Under the law, platforms that rely heavily on features such as autoplay, infinite scrolling, push notifications, or visible like counts will be required to show mental health warnings to younger users.
According to the bill text published by the New York State Senate, a platform may still qualify for an exception if the state attorney general determines that those engagement features serve a legitimate purpose unrelated to encouraging prolonged use. The full legislative language is available through the official New York State legislation portal.
In an announcement released by the governor’s office, officials said the warnings must appear when a young user first accesses a qualifying feature and then reappear periodically afterward. Users will not have the option to skip or dismiss these messages.
The announcement compares the new digital warnings to labels already required on products such as tobacco and alcohol, as well as advisories used in certain forms of visual media. The comparison follows growing national discussion around social media and mental health, including remarks made last year by then Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who publicly called for warning labels on social platforms in an opinion piece published by The New York Times.
Governor Hochul framed the law as part of a broader effort to prioritize child safety and public health. In a statement shared on the official New York State website, she said protecting young people from digital features that encourage excessive screen time is an essential part of keeping families informed and safe.
Assemblymember Nily Rozic, one of the bill’s sponsors, echoed that sentiment, saying the law is intended to give families clearer information about how certain online features can affect mental well being. He emphasized that the legislation relies on current medical research and is designed to help parents and guardians make more informed decisions about digital use.
New York is not alone in considering this type of regulation. Lawmakers in California have introduced similar proposals aimed at requiring warning labels on social media platforms, as reported by Engadget, signaling a broader push at the state level to address concerns around youth exposure to highly engaging digital products.
This legislation builds on previous actions taken by New York lawmakers. Last year, the state passed laws requiring parental consent before minors could access algorithm driven feeds and before companies could collect or sell personal data belonging to users under the age of 18. Tech industry regulation has become an increasingly active area for the state, particularly as lawmakers respond to rising concerns around data privacy, artificial intelligence, and digital safety.
The warning label law is also one of several technology focused measures signed by Hochul toward the end of the year. Earlier this month, she approved the RAISE Act, a measure aimed at strengthening oversight and safety standards related to artificial intelligence systems operating within the state.
