New York State will social media platforms to post warning labels similar to those found on cigarettes. was accepted and signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday. It will apply to any platforms that support infinite scrolling, autoplay such as counting, or algorithmic feeds. The labels will warn users of the platform about potential harm to the mental health of young users.
Social media companies will be required to display these warning labels the first time a user interacts with any of the features the government deems predatory. A warning will also be displayed periodically after this interaction.
“Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our children from the potential harm of social media features that encourage overuse,” Governor Hochul said. . The law will apply when accessing any of these platforms from New York. Governor Hochul also signed two bills Last year, a law was passed aimed at protecting children from social media.
Concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of young users are growing, and government agencies are increasingly taking action. A bill similar to the one in New York was passed. . This year became the first country to ban social networks for children. will soon follow.
Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General must have warning labels and be highlighted linking social media use to increased anxiety and depression among youth. The risks of social media use for children's mental health are significant. and still do .
We've reached out to Meta, Snap and TikTok for comment and will update if we hear back.
