class=”img” alt=”Girl lying on bed at night and using a mobile phone” fetchpriority=”high” />
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ST. PAUL, Minn. — As the debate on social media’s impact on mental health intensifies, Minnesota is leading a groundbreaking initiative to address the issue. Starting next summer, Minnesotans will encounter a new pop-up message when accessing social media, warning them about the potential mental health risks associated with prolonged use.
Olivia Kanavati, a 17-year-old from a Twin Cities suburb, uses an app to track her social media usage, which prompts her to pause and reflect before logging in. While she didn’t have a direct role in crafting the new Minnesota law, she supports the initiative. “I think it’s helpful for people that just take a second and, like, pause and be like, ‘Hmm,'” Kanavati says, “‘why am I doing this? What is this purpose?'”
Her classmate, Evangeline Fuentes, echoes this sentiment. “Obviously, you know, there’s always going to be the people who don’t,” she noted. “The best that we can do is just offer the outlet for them to change.”
Minnesota’s Unique Approach
In light of legal challenges faced by other states attempting to restrict social media use among minors, Minnesota is opting for a different path. Governor Tim Walz has signed a law that mandates these warning pop-ups, set to be implemented in July 2026. Although social media companies are expected to push back, advocates believe these reminders could encourage more mindful engagement, particularly among younger users.
Democratic state Rep. Zack Stephenson, the primary sponsor of the law, emphasized the initiative’s importance. “I think the evidence is very clear that social media use is linked with depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, all sorts of terrible mental health conditions,” Stephenson stated.
National Implications
The push for warning labels has national backing. Under President Biden’s administration, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy advocated for similar labels, citing research associating extended social media use with negative mental health impacts. Minnesota is the first to pass such legislation, with New York potentially following suit.
class=”img” alt=”Olivia Kanavati, left, and Evangeline Fuentes, right, are members of the Digital Well-Being Club at their school and say they support a new state law that will require social media companies to add mental health warning labels to their sites starting next year. The pair posed for photos outside their school on July 17, 2025.”loading=”lazy” />
Olivia Kanavati, left, and Evangeline Fuentes, right, are members of the Digital Well-Being Club at their school and say they support a new state law that will require social media companies to add mental health warning labels to their sites starting next year. The pair posed for photos outside their school on July 17, 2025.
Dana Ferguson/Minnesota Public Radio
Dana Ferguson/Minnesota Public Radio
Failure to comply with the label requirement could lead to state investigations and penalties. Additionally, social media platforms must offer resources for mental health support, like the Suicide and Crisis Hotline 988, an initiative supported by suicide prevention advocates.
While the labels alone aren’t a cure-all for online safety, they provide a critical educational tool. Erich Mische, CEO of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), emphasized, “They serve as a really powerful tool for educating the public, making them aware that the things that are taking place on social media pose a significant danger to the safety of their children.”
Tech Industry’s Response
Despite some Republican concerns about free speech limitations, the bill has received bipartisan support due to the pressing nature of social media’s impact on youth. However, NetChoice, a group representing social media companies, plans to challenge the law, potentially through litigation if legislative efforts fail.
Paul Taske of NetChoice expressed concerns, stating, “It does, I think, force the companies to essentially denigrate themselves in ways that they would otherwise choose not to.” He suggests that instead of mandating companies to issue warnings, the state should use its resources to educate the public directly.
Barring any legal hurdles, the law’s warning labels will be implemented on July 1, 2026.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis hotline.
