New York is taking a historic stand against digital addiction as Governor Kathy Hochul officially signed a bill requiring social media platforms to display prominent warning labels. This new law, signed on December 26, 2025, targets "predatory" features like infinite scrolling and autoplay that many experts say are fueling a youth mental health crisis. By mandating these warnings, New York aims to give parents and young users clear, medical-backed information about the risks of excessive screen time. The move follows recent calls from the U.S. Surgeon General to treat social media platforms with the same public health scrutiny as tobacco or alcohol.
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Governor Hochul Signs Bill Targeting Addictive Feeds
The legislation, known as S4505/A5346, marks a significant escalation in the state’s battle with Big Tech. Under the new rules, platforms that utilize algorithmic feeds, push notifications, and "like" counts must alert younger users to the potential psychological harms of these features. Governor Hochul emphasized that protecting children from features designed to prolong use is a top priority for her administration. This law is not just a suggestion; it is a mandate that requires labels to appear when a user first encounters an addictive feature and periodically throughout their session. Unlike standard pop-ups, these warnings are designed to be impossible to bypass or ignore.
Why Social Media Warning Labels Are Now Law
The driving force behind this law is a growing body of medical research linking prolonged social media use to anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia. Legislators pointed to data showing that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on these platforms face double the risk of poor mental health outcomes. By framing these digital tools as potentially "addictive," New York is treating the dopamine loops created by "likes" and infinite scrolls as a public health hazard. Assemblymember Nily Rozic, a primary sponsor of the bill, noted that families deserve honesty about how these platforms are engineered to capture attention. The law puts public health first by giving users the tools to make informed decisions.
How the New SAFE for Kids Act Works
This latest bill builds upon the SAFE for Kids Act passed earlier, which already restricted algorithmic feeds for minors without parental consent. The new warning label requirement adds a layer of transparency for those who do use the apps, ensuring the risks remain front and center. The Commissioner of Mental Health will be responsible for designing the specific text and appearance of these labels to ensure they are effective and based on the latest science. Platforms found in violation of these rules could face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. This enforcement mechanism ensures that tech giants like Meta and TikTok cannot simply hide these warnings in their terms of service.
New York Joins the National Fight for Tech Safety
New York is not the only state pushing for stricter digital safeguards; California and Minnesota have recently pursued similar legislative paths. California’s AB 56, for example, also focuses on "black box" warnings that occupy a significant portion of the screen to ensure visibility. These state-level actions are part of a broader global trend, with countries like Australia recently banning social media for children under 16 entirely. As more states adopt these measures, the pressure on social media companies to redesign their platforms for safety—rather than just engagement—continues to mount. The era of unregulated "addictive" features appears to be coming to a close as the legal landscape shifts.
What This Means for Parents and Teenagers
For New York families, this law means that the digital experience for teens will look very different starting in 2026. Parents can expect to see frequent interruptions on their children's screens that highlight the dangers of "staying on just a little longer." These labels are intended to break the "trance" that infinite scrolling often induces, encouraging young users to step back and engage with the real world. While some critics argue that labels aren't enough, supporters believe they are a crucial first step in changing how society views digital consumption. It shifts the burden of safety from the individual parent back onto the multi-billion-dollar companies that design these products.
The Future of Social Media Regulation in 2026
Looking ahead, the implementation of warning labels is likely just the beginning of a larger regulatory wave. The New York Attorney General’s office is already drafting rules for age verification and data privacy that will complement this new law. We are moving toward a future where "safety by design" is the expected standard for any platform hosting younger users. As tech companies prepare for these changes, the focus remains on whether these warnings will actually change behavior or if platforms will find new ways to keep users hooked. For now, New York has sent a clear message: the mental health of the next generation is not for sale.
