Breaking the Scroll: New Labels to Fight Social Media Addiction

New York Introduces Warnings on Social Media

The fact that social media harms the mental health of young users has been discussed for years. Reports have multiplied and alarms have sounded, but real action has been lacking. Until now.

Kathy Hochul, the Governor of New York State, is among the first to take a concrete step. She is introducing a solution designed to significantly curb the negative influence of social media on users, creating a regulation unlike any other currently implemented in the world.

Social Media Warning Labels: How Will They Work?

Young residents of New York, while scrolling through social platforms, will see a special label on their profiles. It serves as a warning against the detrimental effects of social media on their psychological well-being.

This message cannot be bypassed or simply clicked away. It will appear when the service is first launched and will return periodically, depending on how long and how intensely the user interacts with the platform. Crucially, this requirement will apply specifically to the territory of New York, rather than the entire United States.

“New York families deserve honest information about how social media platforms affect mental health. By requiring research-based social media warning labels, this law puts public health first and finally gives us the tools we need to make informed decisions,”

– said Assemblymember Nily Rozic, as quoted by Governor.ny.gov.

Why Social Media is Being Treated Like an Addictive Substance

The special labels are intended to act as a deterrent for users who mindlessly scroll and automatically consume content. The mechanism will be familiar—similar to the warnings visible on cigarettes or alcohol. The companies offering access to these platforms will be responsible for implementing this new solution.

The Report That Forced US Authorities to Act

The New York Governor’s plan is a response to a recent report from a US government institution. It reveals that teenagers who spend more than three hours a day browsing social media portals are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety.

Approximately half of teenagers admit that using social media worsens their body image. Meanwhile, those who spend the most time on social media are twice as likely to rate their mental health as poor or very poor.

This is precisely why the newly introduced social media warning labels are meant to encourage reflection and limit the time New York teenagers spend on these platforms. Furthermore, the impact of social media on youth goes beyond mental health issues.

What Social Media Does to the Youth Mind

Scientists have developed a vast body of research on social media services and their impact on society. Their conclusions are clear:

• Children who spend more than 5 hours a day browsing social media struggle with concentration.
• Late-night browsing of X (formerly Twitter) delays and worsens sleep quality, contributing to chronic sleep issues.
• The more time adult users spend browsing services, the more irritable they become.
• A one-week social media detox has a beneficial effect on the psychological well-being of users.

USA and Australia Tighten Social Media Regulations

It is no surprise that New York is moving forward with social media warning labels. Notably, this is not an isolated case. Similar actions have been taken in Australia, where authorities have moved to block social media access for teenagers under the age of 16. The hope remains that these decisions will translate into real improvements in the psychological well-being of young people.

Read this article in Polish: Jak na używkach. Social media dostają etykiety ostrzegawcze