New York Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Social Media Warning Labels

It’s no secret websites like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook have a chokehold on America’s youth. That’s why New York lawmakers have passed a bill requiring social media platforms to display mental health warning labels to in-state users.
Senate Bill S405 cites a June 2024 statement from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, calling for warning labels on “addictive” platforms:
The legislation references Surgeon General Murthy’s characterization of the current youth mental crisis as a “public health emergency,” and cites various evidence to support this claim:
Additionally, the bill included several statistics supporting the correlation between social media and poor mental health:
- As of 2023, 12 – 15-year-olds spend an average of 4.8 hours on social media platforms.
- Today, almost half of adolescents report social media makes them feel worse about their bodies.
- Teens with the highest levels of social media use are twice as likely to rate their mental health as either “poor” or “very poor.”
- From 2008 – 2015, the percentage of hospital visits among adolescent social media users nearly doubled due to suicidal ideation or attempts.
- From 2011 – 2018, self-poisonings among 10 – 12-year-old girls quadrupled.
- From 2011 – 2018, suicide rates among 10 – 14-year-old girls doubled, and hospital admissions for self-harm tripled.
State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, a sponsor for the New York bill, commented:
Additionally, Jim Steyer, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO, stated:
Last week, Senate Bill S4505 was passed in the New York Assembly and Senate. It is currently awaiting the signature of New York’s governor, Kathy Hochul, who previously signed bills prohibiting social media platforms from exposing teens to “addictive” algorithmic content without parental consent.
If passed, New York will join other states that have or are attempting to issue warnings on social media apps, including Minnesota, Texas, Colorado and California.
Social media platforms have opposed New York’s potential bill, arguing that requiring warning labels on their websites would violate their rights to free speech.
Specifically, NetChoice’s Amy Bos, director of state and federal affairs, recently stated:
However, warning labels on products proven to be harmful do not violate free speech. Rather, they serve to promote truth and transparency by notifying adolescents of the risks associated with social media use.
In a world where internet reliance is ever-increasing, it is crucial for the next generation to be fully informed about the information that constructs and influences their daily lives.
Related Articles and Resources:
‘The Tech Exit’ Helps Families Ditch Addictive Tech – For Good.
New York Prepares to Restrict School Smartphone Use
Social Psychologist Finds Smartphones and Social Media Harm Kids in These Four Ways
Four Ways to Protect Your Kids from Bad Tech, From Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt
‘Big Tech’ Device Designs Dangerous for Kids, Research Finds
Surgeon General Recommends Warning on Social Media Platforms
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Meredith Godwin is the news and policy intern for Daily Citizen. She is currently a senior at Harding University, double majoring in English & Business Communication and Theological Studies and minoring in Spanish. While at school, she enjoys working in Harding’s English Department, volunteering with Harding University Tahkodah (HUT) and participating in events at her local church. Meredith is passionate about the sanctity of human life, issues of religious freedom, and using her writing to participate in the Lord’s work on earth.
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