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AB 56

Social media: warning labels.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and 6 co-sponsors

AB 56 mandates social media platforms to display warning labels about mental health risks for young users, aiming to protect youth and raise awareness by 2027.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 671, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · AB 56

Summary of AB 56: Social Media Warning Labels

Overview

Bill Number: AB 56
Title: Social Media: Warning Labels
Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 671, Statutes of 2025
Introduced: February 24, 2025
Operative Date: January 1, 2027

AB 56, also known as the Social Media Warning Law, aims to address concerns regarding the impact of social media on the mental health of young users. The bill mandates that certain social media platforms display warning labels to inform users about potential mental health risks associated with excessive use.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of AB 56 is to:
- Educate users, particularly minors, about the mental health risks linked to social media usage.
- Mitigate the negative effects of social media on youth mental health, as highlighted by the U.S. Surgeon General.
- Provide a mechanism for users and their families to be aware of the potential harms of social media engagement.

Key Provisions

  1. Definition of Covered Platforms:

    • The bill defines "covered platforms" as addictive internet-based services or applications, excluding those primarily focused on selling goods, cloud storage, email, or private messaging.

  2. Warning Label Requirements:

    • Initial Access Warning: A black box warning must be displayed when a user first accesses the platform each day. This warning must be visible for at least 10 seconds or until dismissed by the user.
    • Cumulative Use Warning: After three hours of cumulative active use, and at least once per hour thereafter, a more prominent warning must be displayed for at least 30 seconds without the option to bypass it.
    • The warning text will state: “The Surgeon General has warned that while social media may have benefits for some young users, social media is associated with significant mental health harms and has not been proven safe for young users.”

  3. Age Exemptions:

    • Platforms are not required to display warnings to users they reasonably determine to be over 17 years of age.

  4. Legal Protections:

    • The bill specifies that its provisions do not create a private right of action, meaning individuals cannot sue platforms for failing to comply with the warning requirements.

  5. Severability Clause:

    • If any part of the law is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.

Impact

  • Target Audience: The bill primarily affects social media platforms that cater to minors, aiming to protect the mental health of young users.
  • Public Awareness: By mandating clear warnings, the bill seeks to increase awareness of the potential risks associated with social media, particularly for adolescents who are heavy users.
  • Industry Compliance: Social media companies will need to adapt their platforms to comply with the new regulations, potentially influencing how they design user engagement features.

Conclusion

AB 56 represents a significant step towards addressing the mental health crisis among youth linked to social media use. By requiring platforms to display explicit warnings, the law aims to empower users and their families with knowledge about the risks of excessive social media engagement. The provisions of this law will take effect on January 1, 2027, allowing time for platforms to implement the necessary changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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