New York Governor signs bill requiring social media warnings about addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay

In New York State, in its ongoing efforts to address the youth mental health crisis, Governor Kathy Hawkle has signed a bill requiring social media platforms to include warnings about addictive features.

Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Require Warning Labels on Social Media Platforms | Governor Kathy Hochul

Hochul signs law for Governor mental health warnings on addictive social media features
https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/governor-hochul-signs-law-for-mental-health-warnings-on-addictive-social-media-features-mental-health-risks-adolescents-assemblymember-nily-rozic-senator-andrew-gounardes-anxiety-depression-tobacco-alcohol-video-games-cbs6-wrgb

New York State will require warning labels on social media platforms
https://www.engadget.com/social-media/new-york-state-will-require-warning-labels-on-social-media-platforms-210306716.html

Teenagers who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more than twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression, and about half of teenagers say that social media has a negative impact on their health. Researchers also found that teenagers who use social media frequently are more likely to rate their mental health as 'bad' or 'very bad.'

Governor Hawkle signed S4505/A5346, a bill that would require social media platforms to post warnings about the dangerous effects that certain features have on teenagers' mental health. These 'specific features' include addictive feeds, autoplay, and infinite scrolling.

'Ensuring the safety of New Yorkers has been my top priority since taking office, including protecting our children from social media features that encourage excessive use,' Governor Hawkle said in signing the bill. 'New Yorkers deserve transparency, and given the amount of information being shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health and take the necessary steps to help people recognize potential risks.'

S4505/A5346 would require social media companies to warn teen users the first time they use a social media feature, and periodically thereafter if the user continues to use the social media platform, without allowing users to circumvent or bypass the warning.