According to Digital Trends, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law on Friday requiring social media platforms to display warning labels on what the state deems “addictive” features. These features include infinite scrolling feeds, autoplay videos, and algorithmically curated content designed to maximize engagement. The warnings must clearly alert users, particularly teens and children, to potential mental health risks like anxiety and depression. The New York Attorney General now has enforcement power, with companies facing fines of up to $5,000 for each violation of the law. While it only applies to users physically in New York, it represents a major regulatory shift targeting the core design of platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
The Business Model Crackdown
Here’s the thing: this law isn’t just about labels. It’s a direct attack on the fundamental business model of social media. These “addictive feeds” aren’t a bug; they’re the main feature. They’re what drive the engagement—the likes, shares, and watch time—that the entire advertising revenue machine is built on. By forcing platforms to essentially put a surgeon general’s warning on their own product, New York is reframing the conversation. It’s no longer about “user choice” or “parental controls.” It’s saying the design itself is a public health issue. That’s a huge shift in positioning for an industry that has always sold itself as a connector and entertainer.
Timing and Legal Dominoes
The timing here is everything. This law didn’t happen in a vacuum. Major tech companies are already facing massive lawsuits from school districts alleging they fueled a youth mental health crisis. The U.S. Surgeon General has publicly called for warning labels. So New York isn’t just acting alone; it’s giving legal teeth to a growing national consensus. And with fines of $5,000 per violation? That could add up incredibly fast for a platform with millions of users in the state. It creates a massive compliance headache. Do you create a separate, labeled version just for New York? Or do you change the core product for everyone?
Who Actually Benefits?
On the surface, the beneficiaries are kids and parents. The law is supposed to act as a “speed bump,” creating a moment of pause. But let’s be skeptical for a second. Do we really think a teenager, mid-scroll, is going to see a warning label and suddenly put their phone down? Probably not. The real beneficiary might be the legal and regulatory framework itself. This law sets a powerful precedent. It gives other states—and even the federal government—a blueprint to follow. California and Minnesota have similar laws, and Australia is talking about an outright ban for kids under 16. We could be looking at a future where tech companies are forced to operate 50 different versions of their app to comply with a patchwork of state laws. That might be the thing that finally forces a fundamental redesign.
A New Era of Friction
Basically, the era of frictionless, endless scrolling is under direct assault. For years, the goal was to remove any barrier between you and the next piece of content. This law mandates that a barrier—a warning label—be put back in. That’s a profound change. It acknowledges that these platforms aren’t neutral tools; they’re engineered environments with psychological impacts. The big question now is whether this is the start of a real reckoning or just a symbolic gesture. Will companies just slap on the label and keep the addictive feed running exactly as is? Or will the legal and financial risk become so great that they’re forced to ditch these features altogether? One thing’s for sure: the playbook of “move fast and break things” has officially hit a wall. And that wall has a warning label on it.
