New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that under a new state law, all social media platforms featuring infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendation functions must add warning labels to inform users that these features may pose risks to the mental health of young users.

In a statement released on Friday, December 26, Hochul said, “Since taking office, safeguarding the safety of New Yorkers has been my top priority—and that includes protecting our children from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive usage.”

Earlier this month, Australia imposed a social media ban on children under the age of 16. Within the United States, California and Minnesota have also enacted similar laws restricting social media access.

New York’s new law covers social media platforms that offer “addictive recommendation feeds”, autoplay, or infinite scroll functions. It applies to activities that occur partially or entirely within New York State but does not cover users accessing the platforms from outside the state.

The law empowers the New York State Attorney General to file lawsuits against violations and seek civil penalties of up to $5,000 (approximately SGD 6,420) per violation.

Hochul noted that requiring social media platforms to add warning labels serves the same purpose as mandating cancer risk warnings on tobacco products or child choking hazard warnings on plastic packaging.

Spokespersons for major tech companies such as TikTok, Snap, Meta, and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

The impact of social media on children’s mental health has become a growing global concern. School districts across the United States have filed lawsuits against Meta and other social media companies.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on protecting children, which was followed by a call for warning labels on social media platforms—similar to those now mandated by New York State.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that under a new state law, all social media platforms featuring infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic recommendation functions must add warning labels to inform users that these features may pose risks to the mental health of young users.

In a statement released on Friday, December 26, Hochul said, “Since taking office, safeguarding the safety of New Yorkers has been my top priority—and that includes protecting our children from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive usage.”

Earlier this month, Australia imposed a social media ban on children under the age of 16. Within the United States, California and Minnesota have also enacted similar laws restricting social media access.

New York’s new law covers social media platforms that offer “addictive recommendation feeds”, autoplay, or infinite scroll functions. It applies to activities that occur partially or entirely within New York State but does not cover users accessing the platforms from outside the state.

The law empowers the New York State Attorney General to file lawsuits against violations and seek civil penalties of up to $5,000 (approximately SGD 6,420) per violation.

Hochul noted that requiring social media platforms to add warning labels serves the same purpose as mandating cancer risk warnings on tobacco products or child choking hazard warnings on plastic packaging.

Spokespersons for major tech companies such as TikTok, Snap, Meta, and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

The impact of social media on children’s mental health has become a growing global concern. School districts across the United States have filed lawsuits against Meta and other social media companies.

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on protecting children, which was followed by a call for warning labels on social media platforms—similar to those now mandated by New York State.