In Major Win for NY Kids and Families, Governor Hochul Signs Social Media Warning Labels Legislation
Senator Gounardes’ and Assemblywoman Rozic’s legislation was sponsored by Common Sense Media
NEW YORK, December 20, 2025 — In a victory for New York children and families, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill to require warning labels on addictive social media platforms. Common Sense Media sponsored the legislation, which was authored by Senator Andrew Gounardes (26th district) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (25th district).
In response to the bill's signing, Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer issued the following statement:
"Common Sense Media thanks Governor Hochul for signing this important social media safety bill into law, and we applaud Senator Gounardes and Assemblywoman Rozic for their leadership in passing the bill through the legislature earlier this year. This new law, along with landmark kids' online safety laws enacted last year and the new statewide distraction-free learning policy, strengthens New York's leading role in the effort to make the digital lives of kids and families safer and healthier.
"With teens now spending close to five hours a day on social media, we owe it to families to provide clear, evidence-based information about the consequences of using social media. Warning labels are a time-tested approach to helping families make informed decisions.
"When we learned alcohol could cause birth defects, we added warning labels for pregnant women. When smoking was linked to cancer, we labeled every cigarette pack. Just as families deserve to know the risks of smoking and drinking, they should know that social media platforms that utilize design features to make them more addictive can take a toll on their kids' mental health. That's why former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and more than 40 state attorneys general, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, have called for warning labels on social media.
"This victory would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the countless parents, teens, and other advocates in the state who made their voices heard in Albany. Thanks to them, we are moving closer to the digital future our children deserve.
"As we celebrate this important progress, we look forward to continuing to work with the governor, legislators, and families in 2026 on new policies that will further protect New York's kids in the digital and AI era."
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach well over 150 million users worldwide, as well as 1.4 million educators and over 100,000 schools every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.