According to Mashable, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed first-of-its-kind legislation requiring social media platforms to display warning labels. The new law, which targets companies like X and TikTok, mandates that warnings appear on features deemed “predatory,” including infinite scrolling, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds. These labels must be shown when a user first interacts with such a feature and will surface periodically thereafter. The requirements apply to any user accessing these platforms from within New York state, regardless of where the company is based. This move is backed by research, including a large multi-year study published earlier this year linking increased social media use among teens to higher levels of depressive symptoms.
A Good Intention, A Tricky Execution
Look, the intent here is hard to argue with. There’s a growing pile of evidence that these platforms, especially for kids, can be pretty toxic. And the comparison to cigarette warnings is a powerful, if blunt, piece of political messaging. It frames social media not as a neutral tool, but as a product with inherent risks. Governor Hochul is basically using the state’s muscle to force a conversation that parents and users are already having.
But Will Anyone Actually Read Them?
Here’s the thing: we’ve all been trained to ignore warnings. We click “Accept” on terms of service without reading. We dismiss cookie banners. We glaze over when a pop-up tells us something might be harmful. So what makes anyone think a state-mandated label on a TikTok feed will be different? It could easily become just another piece of digital wallpaper. And the logistical questions are huge. How do you define “periodically”? What exactly triggers the warning? The law’s success hinges on details that aren’t in the headline.
The Real Battle Is In The Design
This is where I get skeptical. The law targets the core business model of these companies: engagement. Infinite scroll and algorithmic feeds aren’t bugs; they’re the product. Forcing a warning onto them is a direct attack on that model. The platforms’ recent moves, like TikTok’s expanded parental controls, feel like voluntary, easier-to-swallow concessions. A government-mandated label that says “This feature might harm you” is a whole other level. It’ll be fascinating to see how platforms technically comply while trying to minimize the disruption to the user experience that keeps them profitable.
A Sign Of Things To Come?
This isn’t the end. It’s a shot across the bow. New York is using its market power to set a precedent others might follow, much like it has with environmental or labor laws. You can read the full bill text here and the governor’s official announcement here. But does this approach actually change behavior, or does it just create a legal checkbox for companies to tick? I think it probably does a bit of both. It applies pressure and adds to the regulatory cost of doing business in a harmful way. But truly protecting kids online? That requires a much deeper rethink of these platforms than a warning label can provide.
