New York has enacted a new law requiring social media platforms with so-called “addictive” features to display warning labels about potential mental health risks to young users.

Announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, the legislation targets features such as infinite scroll, auto-play, and algorithmic feeds. The goal is to increase transparency and awareness, particularly for children and adolescents, while aligning digital platforms with safety expectations long applied to other consumer products.

The law empowers the New York State Attorney General to enforce compliance, with civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.

Concerns about youth mental health and digital overstimulation have intensified as social media usage has become nearly universal among adolescents.

Policymakers across the United States are increasingly scrutinizing platform design choices that maximize engagement. New York now joins states such as California and Minnesota in pursuing regulatory approaches that focus on transparency rather than outright bans.

The law reflects a growing belief among regulators that platform design itself—not just content—can influence behavioral and psychological outcomes.

Governor Hochul announced that social media companies operating in New York will be required to display warning labels if their platforms use features deemed “addictive.”

The law applies to major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.

These warnings are intended to inform users—particularly young people and their families—about potential mental health risks associated with prolonged or compulsive use. Enforcement authority rests with the state attorney general, and the law applies to activity occurring wholly or partially within New York.

The legislation focuses on design mechanisms, not content moderation.

Features specifically cited include infinite scrolling feeds, auto-play video functionality, and algorithmic recommendation systems designed to maximize time spent on the platform. According to the law, these mechanisms can overstimulate reward centers in the brain in ways comparable to gambling or substance use patterns.

Rather than restricting functionality outright, the law requires platforms to disclose potential risks, similar to warning labels on tobacco products or child safety notices on consumer packaging.

For platforms, the immediate impact is operational rather than technical.

Companies will need to determine when and how warning labels are displayed, ensure compliance within New York’s jurisdiction, and manage potential legal exposure. While the fines per violation are modest, cumulative enforcement could create financial and reputational pressure.

For users, the law may increase awareness but is unlikely to significantly change platform behavior on its own. Its effectiveness will depend largely on how prominently warnings are displayed and how users interpret them.

This law signals a shift in how governments approach online safety.

Rather than framing social media solely as a content problem, regulators are increasingly examining engagement-driven design as a public health issue. If successful, New York’s approach could influence broader national standards and future federal discussions around platform accountability.

Research on social media’s mental health impact remains mixed.

While studies, including one published in the Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, link early smartphone exposure to issues such as emotional dysregulation and low self-worth, other experts urge caution.

Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health note significant gaps in available data, citing rapidly evolving platforms, varied user experiences, and limited transparency from companies themselves.