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Warning Labels Required

Four kids stand close together, looking down at their smartphones outside.
WITH A WARNING People under 18 in New York will soon see a warning label when accessing social-media apps. KERKEZ—GETTY IMAGES

On December 26, New York confirmed a new law to protect kids’ mental health. It requires social-media platforms to warn users under age 18 about addictive features, such as autoplay, infinite scroll, 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 mandate 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, Kathy Hochul, 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.

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