United States of America: Governor signed Act relating to mental health warning labels for social media platforms (AB 56 / Chapter 671)

On 13 October 2025, the Governor of California signed into law Assembly Bill No. 56 (Social Media Warning Law) as Chapter 671, Statutes of 2025. The Act requires covered social media platforms to display black-box warnings to users upon access, after three hours of cumulative active use, and at least once per additional hour of use. It specifies the format, duration, and screen-occupancy requirements for the warning, provides an exemption where a platform has reasonably determined that a user is over 17 years of age, and authorises the California Department of Public Health to revise the warning text by regulation. The Act clarifies that its provisions may not be interpreted to create a private right of action, affirms the severability of its clauses, and establishes 1 January 2027 as its operative date.