The United States state of New York has made a historic decision that will resonate in the technology world. The bill, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, mandates that social media platforms display warning labels, similar to those on cigarette packs. Passed by the legislature in June, this law specifically aims to protect the mental health of young users and raise awareness about the addictive effects of these platforms.

Endless scrolling and autoplay targeted

The new regulation specifically targets features considered addictive. All platforms with features such as endless scrolling, autoplay, like counts, and algorithmic feeds will be subject to this law. When users interact with any of these features for the first time, a state-defined warning label will appear. Furthermore, these warnings will not only appear upon initial use but will continue to appear regularly at specific intervals.

In a statement, Governor Hochul emphasized that ensuring the safety of New Yorkers is her top priority and that they want to protect children from the harms of social media features that encourage excessive use. This move aligns with a call made last year by the U.S. Surgeon General, who highlighted the effects of social media on anxiety and depression in young people and recommended the inclusion of warning labels.

Concerns about the effects of social media on young people are not limited to New York. A similar bill is being considered in California, while much stricter measures are being taken globally. Australia became the first country to completely ban children’s use of social media, and Denmark is preparing to take similar steps. It remains to be seen how tech giants will react to these new regulations.

So, do you think placing warning labels on social media apps, similar to those on cigarette packs, would reduce addiction? Share your thoughts in the comments!