New York just passed a law that treats social media like tobacco products, and companies failing to do this one thing will be penalized

New York just passed a major law that requires social media giants like Meta to display clear warning labels about potentially harmful features, essentially treating platforms like tobacco products, as per TechSpot. Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed the legislation, known as S4505/A5346, into state law. This is a huge, controversial step, but honestly, it’s about time we started addressing the serious risks these platforms pose to younger users.

The Governor’s office is likening the new warning system to the labels we already see on high-sugar foods, plastic packaging, alcohol, and even video games. These products can pose serious health risks ranging from cancer to birth defects, and New York is signaling that social media features belong in that same category of regulated health concern. Federal authorities have actually suggested tobacco-style warnings for social media before, so New York is definitely taking the lead in implementing them.

The law doesn’t outright ban the specific features that keep you doomscrolling, but it demands real transparency. Platforms must now clearly label risks associated with features specifically designed to prolong usage, keep younger users engaged, or expose them to commercial offers and potentially predatory behaviors. If companies fail to comply with these labeling requirements, local authorities can bring legal action against them with civil penalties of up to $5,000 for every single violation.

It seems like the era of unchecked social media power might finally be coming to an end

The social media platforms use engagement techniques designed to hook young people, and the mental health risks are truly alarming. A recent study cited by the Governor’s office found that teenagers who spend more than three hours per day on social networks face twice the risk of developing anxiety and depression.

The study also noted that roughly half of teens feel social media negatively affects their body image. Unsurprisingly, those kids who use these apps the most consistently report the lowest overall mental health scores. Features designed specifically to keep young eyes glued to the screen are clearly contributing to major problems, and requiring a pop-up warning feels like a necessary first step.

Governor Hochul emphasized the necessity of this action, stating that she’s focused on transparency and safety. She said that “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. 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.”

New York isn’t acting alone here. Concerns about the impact of social media on youth mental health are drawing intense scrutiny from international and federal authorities. Australia has taken an even tougher stance, outright banning social media use for younger teens. Meanwhile, US states including Minnesota, California, and North Carolina have also enacted more restrictive laws aimed at protecting children online.

This is clearly a massive regulatory trend, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Just a few weeks ago, New York even filed lawsuits against major platforms like Google and Meta over their alleged exploitative tactics targeting young users. While Meta introduced features like Community Notes to address some of the concerns, that’s clearly not enough.