Tech Desk 
Dec 27, 2025
New York is set to introduce new social media regulations requiring platforms to display mental health warning labels, targeting features that encourage excessive use among young people.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the move on Friday, saying the law will apply to social media platforms that use “addictive” design features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and algorithm-driven feeds.
Under the legislation, these platforms will be required to clearly warn users about the potential mental health risks associated with prolonged use, particularly for children and teenagers.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our kids from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive use,” Hochul said in a statement.
The legislation will affect social media firms that are available for use in the state of New York, irrespective of whether they are based in the state or not. It will not affect those social media users who are physically located in another state. The state’s legal representative will be responsible for enforcing this legislation through civil penalties that do not go beyond $5,000 per offense.
He compared the warning labels to labels on consumer products that inform consumers about certain dangers relating to tobacco materials and plastic bags. He also stated that the plan was never to ban social media but rather to make consumers aware of the impact certain social media features have on mental health.
The new legislation puts New York in company with states such as California and Minnesota, which have already enacted similar legislation with respect to the design of social media. The new legislation aligns with Australia’s ban on the use of social media by children under 16 years old.
There have been increased concerns about the effects that social media has on children’s mental health. In the United States, several school districts have filed a lawsuit against tech companies, including Meta Platforms, for contributing towards anxiety, depression, and addictive behavior among students.
In 2023, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory recommending enhanced protections for young users on social media. Later, he called for the adoption of ‘warning labels’ in the US, similar to those that became mandatory in New York.
