Warning Labels Required
On December 26, New York confirmed a new law. It’s meant to protect kids’ mental health. The law requires social-media platforms to warn users under age 18 about addictive features, such as autoplay and like counts. These features entice users to stay on the platform for long periods of time.
New York State isn’t the first place to require these warnings. California and Minnesota have similar laws. And last year, Australia banned social media for kids under 16 (see “Logging Off,” May 2025).
New York’s governor is Kathy Hochul. She issued a statement when the law was announced. “It is essential that we prioritize mental health and take the steps necessary to ensure that people are aware of any potential risks,” she said.







