TL;DR
Governor Kathy Hochul has signed S4505/A5346, a state law that requires social platforms to show warning labels to younger users before exposing them to features such as autoplay and infinite scroll. The measure defines “addictive” platform features, prevents users from bypassing the notices, and allows an attorney general exception if features serve a valid purpose unrelated to prolonging use.
What happened
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation this week mandating warning labels on social media platforms identified as having ‘addictive’ features. The statute, S4505/A5346, directs platforms to display notices to younger users when they first encounter certain design elements — and periodically thereafter — including autoplay, infinite scroll, push alerts, like counts and addictive feeds when those elements are a significant part of the service. The law bars younger users from bypassing the warnings. It also lets the state attorney general exempt specific features if they are judged to serve a legitimate function not intended to extend user time on the platform. State officials likened the required warnings to existing consumer notices on products such as tobacco and alcohol. Supporters framed the law as a public-health measure aimed at giving families clearer information about social media’s mental-health impacts.
Why it matters
- Targets platform design choices (autoplay, infinite scroll, push alerts) that critics say encourage extended use, especially among younger people.
- Establishes state-level oversight with an attorney general role in deciding narrow exceptions, creating a path for regulatory enforcement.
- Aligns with prior New York rules on parental consent and minors’ data protections, signaling continued state action on youth tech safety.
- Adds to a growing national conversation — similar proposals have been introduced elsewhere, including California — about labeling and regulating social media harms.
Key facts
- Bill number: S4505/A5346.
- Warning labels must appear for younger users before exposure to specified features and periodically after initial display.
- Features named in the bill’s definition include addictive feeds, push notifications, autoplay, infinite scroll, and like counts when they are a significant part of the service.
- The law prevents the targeted users from bypassing the warnings.
- The attorney general can exempt features if they are determined to serve a valid purpose unrelated to prolonging user time.
- Officials compared the new notices to warning labels used on tobacco, alcohol and other media products.
- Supporters cited medical research and public-health concerns about social media’s effect on young people’s mental health.
- New York previously enacted laws requiring parental consent for minors to access addictive feeds and restricting collection or sale of data for users under 18.
- Governor Hochul also signed the RAISE Act, a separate piece of legislation focused on AI safety, around the same time.
What to watch next
- How the attorney general applies the exemption for features deemed to have a valid non-prolonging purpose.
- How platforms implement the mandated warnings in practice and how that affects user experience for younger accounts.
- not confirmed in the source: precise timelines for when platforms must comply, details on enforcement mechanisms, and any penalties for noncompliance.
Quick glossary
- Autoplay: A feature that automatically starts playing the next piece of content without user input.
- Infinite scroll: A user interface pattern that continuously loads more content as a user scrolls, removing natural stopping points.
- Push notification: A message sent by a platform to a user’s device to prompt re-engagement or deliver updates.
- Warning label: A visible notice intended to inform consumers about potential risks associated with a product or feature.
- Attorney general: A state’s chief legal officer who may enforce laws and make determinations under statutes.
Reader FAQ
Who must be shown the warnings?
The law requires the warnings to be shown to younger users; the source does not define the precise age range covered.
Can users bypass the warnings?
According to the announcement, targeted younger users would not be able to bypass the warnings.
Which platform features trigger the labels?
The bill lists features including addictive feeds, push notifications, autoplay, infinite scroll and like counts when those features are a significant part of the service.
When do the requirements take effect and what are the penalties for noncompliance?
not confirmed in the source
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill this week that will require social media platforms to show warning labels to younger users before they’re exposed to features such as…
Sources
- NY Governor Hochul signs bill requiring warning labels on ‘addictive’ social media
- Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Require Warning …
- New York to require social media platforms to display …
Related posts
- Verdichtung: Zurich’s densification approach and what it means for housing
- Year in Review: How AI Is Reshaping Police Reports and Oversight
- Why the US Can’t Ignore the Growing Threat of Drone Warfare Now