Minnesota lawmakers have enacted what’s believed to be the nation’s first statutory requirement for social media platforms to display a conspicuous mental health warning at every login. Under HF 1289, effective July 1, 2026, platforms must show a pop-up label warning of risks such as anxiety, depression, addiction and cyberbullying, and must include crisis hotline information like the 988 Lifeline. The label stays onscreen until the user either acknowledges it or exits the app; it may not be bypassed or hidden within fine print. Health commissioners must issue implementation guidelines by March 1, 2026.
Supporters argue the policy fills a regulatory gap in public health communications, drawing parallels to tobacco warning labels. Critics warn it may raise free-speech concerns and pose enforcement challenges, especially given the global footprint of leading social media platforms.
