The state of New York has passed new legislation requiring social media platforms like X and TikTok to add warning labels to their services.
Much like the warnings found on cigarette packaging, the new law — signed by Governor Kathy Hochul — targets platforms that rely on features such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds. These services will now be required to display labels cautioning users, particularly young people, about the potential mental health risks associated with prolonged use.
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Under the law, warning labels must appear when a user first interacts with any feature deemed “predatory,” and will continue to surface periodically afterward. The requirements apply whenever these platforms are accessed from within New York, regardless of the companies’ locations.
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The move comes amid a growing body of research linking heavy social media use to negative mental health outcomes among young people. A large, multi-year study published earlier this year found that increased social media use among tweens and teens was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms over time, while the reverse was not true.
Researchers behind the study said the findings strengthen concerns that certain online behaviors, including excessive scrolling and algorithm-driven engagement, may actively contribute to declining mental well-being rather than simply reflecting it.
At the same time, platforms like TikTok have begun rolling out their own safety and oversight features in response to mounting pressure from lawmakers, parents, and regulators. Earlier this year, TikTok expanded its parental control tools, adding options for screen time blocking, scheduled app access, and increased visibility into teens’ followers and activity.
The company has framed those changes as part of a broader push toward mindfulness and healthier usage habits, particularly for users under 18, even as critics argue that design features like autoplay and infinite feeds continue to encourage prolonged engagement.
