On Friday, December 19, 2025, a groundbreaking new measure was signed into law that targets the addictive design of platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Under the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, social media giants will soon be required to display mandatory warning labels to all users under the age of 18.
This move follows a massive push from officials to combat the “near-constant” use of social media among teens, citing a direct link between algorithmic feeds and the youth mental health crisis.
How the Warning Labels Will Work
This isn’t just a fine-print disclaimer hidden in platforms’ Terms of Service. New York is making these warnings impossible to ignore. According to the new law, platforms that use autoplay, infinite scroll, like counts, or push notifications must implement the following:
- The Initial Log-on: a 10-second warning pop-up as soon as a minor opens the app
- The 3-Hour Mark: a 30-second warning after three hours of cumulative use
- The Hourly Reminder: a recurring warning every hour after the initial three-hour window
Governor Hochul signed off on the law on December 26, 2025, stating:
Keeping New Yorkers safe has been my top priority since taking office, and that includes protecting our kids from the potential harms of social media features that encourage excessive use…With the amount of information that can be shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health and take the steps necessary to ensure that people are aware of any potential risks.
Why Now? The Science Behind the Law
The legislation is heavily inspired by US Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, who called for warning labels on social media platforms due to the “significant mental health harms” such platforms pose to young users on June 17th, 2024.
Research highlights a “double risk” of anxiety and depression for adolescents spending more than three hours a day online–a frightening statistic considering the average daily use for kids hit 4.8 hours in 2023.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill’s lead sponsor in the Senate, stated:
Social media warning labels enable users to make informed decisions about their own health. The research is clear: social media companies are wreaking havoc on our—and our kids’—mental health. When Big Tobacco was killing thousands of Americans, we stepped in with smart, thoughtful regulations to save lives. It’s time to do the same with Big Tech.
Enforcement & Penalties
The New York State Attorney General’s Office will be the watchdog for this new measure. If a platform is caught hiding these warnings or failing to trigger them, they could face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per incident.
When Will We Start Seeing the Warnings?
Though the law is active, implementation is pending the Attorney General’s rules for enforcement. Thus, a start date hasn’t yet been established.
📱Key Takeaways:
- Who’s affected: all social media users in NY under the age of 18
- Trigger Points: initial pop-up (10 secs), then after 3 hours (30 secs), then every hour
- Content: alerts about mental health risks, body image issues, anxiety, depression, and the addictive nature of feeds
- Enforcement: NY’s AG will enforce it with fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Purpose: inspired by Surgeon General advisories, aiming to protect developing brains from addictive algorithms