NY Governor Hochul signs bill requiring warning labels on ‘addictive’ social media

In a significant move aimed at safeguarding young users, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a law mandating social media platforms to display warning labels before exposing younger audiences to potentially harmful features like autoplay and infinite scrolling. Passed by state legislators in June, the bill, designated as S4505/A5346, identifies certain platforms as 'addictive' if they incorporate features such as continuous feeds, push notifications, and like counts that contribute to excessive usage. However, exceptions may be made if the state's attorney general deems these features serve a legitimate purpose that does not encourage prolonged engagement. According to Hochul's office, these warning labels will be required at the point of initial use of the targeted features and will also be displayed periodically thereafter, ensuring that young users cannot easily bypass this important information. The administration likened these labels to health warnings found on tobacco products and alcoholic beverages, highlighting the potential mental health risks associated with such social media interactions. Hochul emphasized her commitment to public safety, stating, "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." One of the bill's advocates, Assemblymember Nily Rozic, echoed this sentiment. He asserted that families in New York deserve transparency regarding the effects of social media on mental health, stating, "By requiring warning labels based on the latest medical research, this law puts public health first and finally gives us the tools we need to make informed decisions." This legislative action follows similar proposals from California and builds on previous New York laws that require social media platforms to secure parental consent before exposing children to addictive feeds and before handling the personal data of users under the age of 18. Additionally, Hochul has also signed the RAISE Act, focusing on AI safety, marking a proactive approach to technology regulation as the year comes to a close.