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Minnesota Social Media Warning Starts Now
1 Jul
Summary
- New law requires social media warning labels starting July 1.
- The warning addresses potential mental health risks.
- Several social media companies are challenging the law.
As of July 1, 2026, Minnesotans opening certain social media apps will encounter new health warnings. Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram are legally obligated to display this notice, which highlights potential mental health risks and provides contact information for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
This measure, championed by proponents like DFL Rep. Zack Stephenson, aims to prompt users to consider their digital engagement. Katherine Myers, executive director of LiveMore ScreenLess, views it as a necessary intervention to encourage societal reflection on device usage and alternative activities.
However, the law faces opposition. In April, the lobbying group NetChoice initiated a lawsuit against Minnesota, challenging the warning requirement, with a judge yet to issue a ruling. NetChoice contends that such labels are a government overreach into controlling online speech. This legal challenge echoes similar situations in Colorado, where a federal court temporarily halted a comparable law, citing First Amendment concerns.
Minnesota is now the fourth state to enact a social media warning label law, following California, Colorado, and New York. The outcome of the current legal battles will significantly influence the future of these digital health disclosures.
