ALBANY – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed legislation requiring social media platforms to display warning labels alerting users to potential mental health risks linked to certain addictive features.
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The law targets features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling, which state officials say can encourage excessive use and contribute to anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns, particularly among young people.
Under the legislation, platforms will be required to display clear warning messages when users first encounter qualifying features and at regular intervals afterward. Users will not be able to dismiss or bypass the warnings. Companies that fail to comply could face civil penalties enforced by the state attorney general.
Hochul said the measure is part of a broader effort to address a growing youth mental health crisis and to provide greater transparency around the risks associated with social media use. She compared the warnings to health labels used on products such as tobacco and alcohol.
Supporters of the law said it gives parents and users more information about how platform design can affect behavior and well-being. The measure places New York among a growing number of states seeking to regulate the impact of social media on minors.
The law is scheduled to take effect after a designated implementation period, giving platforms time to adjust their systems to comply with the new requirements.