Minnesota is the First State to Pass Social Media Warning Labels to Address Mental Health
Publication: KVRR
Author: Juliana Palaez
Date: June 11, 2025
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Minnesota is the First State to Pass Social Media Warning Labels to Address Mental Health
Minnesota has become the first state to pass a social media warning label law that will provide users with mental health resources.
KVRR’s Juliana Pelaez has more on why kids may be at a bigger mental health risk than we think.
Social Media is a resource that billions of people use every day. And soon, many Minnesotans will see warning labels when they use a platform.
“We see every single day kids being sextorted, kids being trafficked, kids being sold illegal drugs, kids being bullied, kids seeing an increase in suicide ideation in suicide as a result of their interaction with these platforms. So I think we’re way beyond the idea of, hey, are kids getting harmed by these platforms? The answer is a resounding yes, absolutely,” said Erich Mische, CEO of SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education).
Mische has been working for the past few months on highlighting the need for warning labels on social media.
Nationally, former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wants Congress to pass a similar bill.
States including Texas, New York, and California currently have bills that are in the process of making it to legislators.
“Using social media, especially more than three hours a day, shows increased rates of depression and anxiety. Issues with bodies and your body image. But I also think that there’s a component of using technology as a way to avoid as a way to distract. I think you see people on their phones all the time instead of interacting,” said Katelyn Mickelson, Licensed Psychologist at Sanford.
On average, teens spend 4.8 hours using social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. And both Michelson and Mische believe that the label is one step to helping teens stay healthy.
“I think the perfect thing that can come from a warning label ultimately is to educate and inform parents and trusted adults about what these harms are that their kids are experiencing,” said Mische.
The new bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.