New NY law will require social media to display mental health warnings
By: Jasper Ward
Reuters
..... Social media platforms with infinite scrolling, auto-play and algorithmic feed swill be required to display warning labels about their potential harm to young users' mental health under a new law, New York Governor Kathy Kochul announced December 26. [2025]
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"Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protesting our kids from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive use," Hochul said in a statement.
..... Earlier in December, [2025] Australia imposed a social media ban of children under 16, New York joins sates such as California, and Minnesota that have similar social media laws.
..... The
New York law includes platforms that offer "addictive feeds,: auto-play or infinite scroll, according to the legislation. the law apples to conduct occurring partly or wholly in New York but not when the platform is accessed by users physically outside the sate.
..... It allows the state's attention general to bring legal action and seek civil penalties of up $5,000 per violation of the law.
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Hochul compared the social media balls to warnings on other products like tobacco, where they communicate the risk of cancer, or plastic packaging, where they warn of the risk of suffocation for small children.
..... Spokespeople for TikTok, Snap, Meta and Alphabet did not immediately respond to request for comment.
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The effect of social media on children's mental health has become a growing global concern, with U.S. school districts suing Meta Platforms and other social media companies.
..... In 2023, the U.S. surgeon general issued an advisory on safeguards for children and later called for social media warning labels like the one now required in New York.