New Law Targets Mental Health Risks for Youth
California has passed a first-of-its-kind law requiring social media platforms to display health warnings to users under 18, citing “profound risks” to mental well-being. The measure, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will force apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat to issue on-screen alerts modeled after tobacco-style warnings.
Mandatory On-Screen Alerts for Young Users
Under the new legislation, minors logging into social media accounts will see a 10-second skippable warning each day. After three hours of use, a 30-second unskippable warning will appear, repeating every hour thereafter. The messages must clearly state that excessive social media use can harm children’s mental health, drawing directly from language used in the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory.
Part of Broader Child Online Safety Push
The measure is part of a wider legislative package aimed at protecting minors online. Other bills signed alongside it include new requirements for age verification, restrictions on AI chatbots interacting with children, and penalties for sharing nonconsensual deepfake content. Together, these laws position California at the forefront of national efforts to regulate digital platforms and curb their impact on young users.
