REGIONAL- Minnesotans won’t be seeing new mental health warning labels when they log into social media accounts just yet, despite a state law that took effect July 1 requiring the notices.
Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has decided not to enforce the law while a federal court considers a lawsuit challenging the requirement. The office has filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the case and says it will enforce the law if the lawsuit is thrown out.
The lawsuit was filed in April by NetChoice, an industry group representing companies including Meta, Google, TikTok, Snapchat, and others. The organization argues the law violates First Amendment protections by compelling social media companies to display a government-mandated message.
In a statement, Ellison’s office said it delayed enforcement “to give the Court breathing room to rule on the motion to dismiss.” If the court dismisses the lawsuit, the attorney general said the state will begin enforcing the law.
The new law requires social media platforms to display a warning each time users log into their accounts advising that some studies have linked excessive social media use to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as harm to sleep, diet, and body image. The warning also directs users to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help.
Under the law, users would have to acknowledge the warning before accessing the platform, and it could not be permanently disabled.
The requirement applies to social media platforms operating in Minnesota regardless of a user’s age. Similar laws approved in other states have either not yet taken effect or apply only to users under 18.
NetChoice successfully challenged a similar law in Colorado last year, where a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement while that case proceeds.
Until the Minnesota lawsuit is resolved, however, residents should not expect to see the new warning labels when logging onto social media platforms.