New York City requires social media platforms to provide mental health warnings

A new law has taken effect in New York requiring major social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram* to post warnings about potential mental health risks. The law places a particular emphasis on protecting young users.

Jan 3, 2026 0 49

New York City requires social media platforms to provide mental health warnings

The rules address features that could lead to excessive engagement, such as endless feeds, autoplay videos, and algorithmic recommendations. If a platform uses such features, it must display appropriate warning messages to users.

The state attorney general will oversee enforcement of the law. He has been given the authority to file civil lawsuits and impose fines of up to $5,000 for each violation.

Governor Kathy Hochul, who signed the measure, stated that the law is intended to inform consumers, analogizing it to warnings on cigarette packs. She cited data showing that nearly half of teens report a negative impact of social media on their body image, and that active users are twice as likely to report poor mental health.