Sen. Gounardes, AM Rozic’s Bill Requiring Warning Labels on Addictive Social Media Platforms Passes NY State Legislature

The bill, which ensures transparency around harmful design features impacting youth mental health, now awaits Governor Hochul’s approval

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 18, 2025

Albany, NY — With social media use at an all-time high and growing evidence linking compulsive engagement to serious mental health concerns, the New York State Legislature has passed S4505/A5346, a bill to require warning labels on social media platforms with addictive design features, sponsored by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic.

The bill would require social media platforms that use addictive design features to display warning labels at point of access. The content of the warning labels would be determined by the New York State Office of Mental Health, based on the latest peer-reviewed research and medical guidance, ensuring the information remains relevant and evidence-based. 

Research consistently shows a connection between excessive social media use and rising rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption among young people. The legislation targets features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, algorithmic feeds, like counters, and push notifications – tools deliberately designed to keep users, especially children and teenagers, engaged far beyond their intended use.

Concerns from parents, teachers, pediatricians, and even the U.S. Surgeon General have been amplified by internal disclosures, including the widely publicized “Facebook Files,” which revealed that tech companies have long been aware of the harm their platforms pose to youth mental health yet continue to prioritize engagement over safety. The revelations have sparked national alarm and strengthened calls for greater transparency, accountability, and regulation in how social media platforms are built and governed.

Last year, then-US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on social media platforms, similar to those that exist for other potentially harmful products like alcohol or tobacco. Attorneys general from 42 states echoed this call, citing the growing body of research that links young people's use of social media with serious psychological harms such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and insomnia. Other states have passed or are considering similar legislation.

“They say sunlight is the best disinfectant, and knowledge is power. Social media warning labels enable users to make informed decisions about their own health," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "The research is clear: social media companies are wreaking havoc on our—and our kids’—mental health. When Big Tobacco was killing thousands of Americans, we stepped in with smart, thoughtful regulations to save lives. It’s time to do the same with Big Tech. This is about creating a safer, healthier internet that makes our lives better instead of worse. This is about enabling New Yorkers to reclaim control of their own lives from big corporations. This is about ensuring the internet is a tool that serves us, not the other way around.”

“By requiring clear warning labels, we’re giving families the tools to understand the risks and pushing tech companies to take responsibility for the impact of their design choices. It’s time we prioritize mental health over engagement metrics. I am grateful for the partnership of Senator Gounardes and urge Governor Hochul to continue standing up for young people’s well-being by signing this bill into law,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. 

“Common Sense Media thanks Assemblywoman Rozic and Senator Gounardes for championing this legislation, which is a critical step toward the digital future our kids deserve. With teens now spending close to five hours a day on social media, we owe it to families to provide clear, evidence-based information about the consequences of excessive use. When we learned alcohol could cause birth defects, we added warning labels for pregnant women. When nicotine was linked to cancer, we labeled every cigarette pack. It’s time we took the same proven approach to social media — the latest addictive product that has kids hooked,” said James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO, Common Sense Media. 

The bill passed with bipartisan support. Enacting this legislation would build on the progress made last session, when the lawmakers worked together to pass the New York Child Data Protection Act and the SAFE for Kids Act—two landmark bills aimed at protecting children’s privacy and safety online. Together, these measures represent a comprehensive effort to create a safer digital environment for kids across New York.

Press Contact:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

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