New York to Require Social Media Warning Labels

LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2025) – The Parents Television and Media Council (PTC) applauded New York for passing a social media warning labels bill, expected to be signed into law by NY Gov. Kathy Hochul.

“New York joins Minnesota in recognizing that social media can be harmful to children and teens and requiring warning labels to be added to platforms. Just like warning labels were added to cigarette packages, social media labels are intended to warn users against the harms. It’s one common-sense solution among many that rightly aims to confront social media harms,” said Melissa Henson, vice president, Parents Television and Media Council.

“More states are recognizing the harms of social media and taking steps to mitigate or eliminate them. Utah, Georgia, New York, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Minnesota, and New York are among the states that have introduced or enacted laws that deal with social media harms on children.

“It’s notable that the only ones against solutions like ‘social media warning labels’ are the Big Tech industry and its lobbyists. But when children are exposed to sexually explicit content, predators, and other harmful content through powerful algorithms on social media platforms, and because children and teens can become addicted to screen time, it’s time for our elected officials to act,” Henson said.

Children who are addicted to screens are at higher risk for suicidal behaviors, according to a new study published in JAMA.

Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents.