NEW YORK (WABC) — Young people who use social media in New York State will get some new warnings after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation aimed at addressing the youth mental health crisis.
Under a new state law, social media platforms will be required to display labels warning of the dangerous impact that certain app features can have on a young user’s mental health.
More specifically, apps that offer addictive feeds, auto play or infinite scroll will need to post the warning labels on their platforms.
Hochul says the new legislation builds upon her administration’s ongoing efforts to address the mental health crisis among youths statewide.
“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,” Hochul said.
“New Yorkers deserve transparency. With the amount of information that can be shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health and take the steps necessary to ensure that people are aware of any potential risks.”
Earlier this month, Australia imposed a social media ban for children under the age of 16.
Meanwhile, New York joins states like California and Minnesota, which have similar social media laws.
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More Manhattan news
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2025 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
