Sen. Gounardes, AM Rozic’s Bill to Require Warning Labels on Social Media is Signed into Law

The law ensures transparency around harmful design features impacting youth mental health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 20, 2025

New York, NY — New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes’ and Assemblymember Nily Rozic’s bill to require warning labels on social media platforms with addictive design features was signed into law late last night.

S4505/A5346 requires social media sites with addictive features like autoplay, infinite scroll, and algorithmic feeds to show a warning label to all users under 18 highlighting the findings of the US Surgeon General that excessive social media use is associated with significant mental health harms.

“Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and knowledge is power,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “My law to require social media warning labels enables users to make informed decisions about their own 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 ensuring the internet is a tool that serves us, not the other way around.”

“New York families deserve honesty about how social media platforms impact mental health,”  said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “By requiring warning labels based on the latest medical research, this law puts public health first and finally gives us the tools we need to make informed decisions. I’m proud to sponsor this legislation alongside Senator Gounardes as part of our broader effort to create a safer digital environment for kids.”

The bill was backed by a coalition of tech safety advocates and experts, particularly Common Sense Media, who helped develop the legislation and worked diligently to ensure its passage.

"Common Sense Media thanks Governor Hochul for signing this important social media safety bill into law, and we applaud Senator Gounardes and Assemblywoman Rozic for their leadership in passing the bill through the legislature earlier this year,” said James P. Steyer, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO. “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 using social media. Warning labels are a time-tested approach to helping families make informed decisions."

The warning label will appear for at least ten seconds when a user logs on, and again for at least 30 seconds after three hours of aggregate social media use, and every hour thereafter. Social media sites are prohibited from obscuring the label or burying it in their terms of service. The Office of the New York State Attorney General will enforce the law and may seek civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.

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, and algorithmic feeds—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.

The bill passed the state legislature with bipartisan support, and builds on the progress made by 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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