Governor Kathy Hochul has announced new resources to help young people, caregivers, and educators in New York navigate digital media in ways that protect mental health. The materials, developed by the state Office of Mental Health, are now available on the ‘Be Well’ website as part of an ongoing campaign to improve mental wellness throughout the state.
“As New York’s first mom Governor, I’m concerned about the mental health of our children and how their struggles with depression and anxiety relate to the digital media they consume at an alarming rate,” Governor Hochul said. “With digital devices being popular gifts during the holidays these resources will help caregivers, teachers and young people themselves embrace healthier habits with their digital devices and to better understand the role digital media plays in their mental wellness along with the steps they can take to protect their mental health.”
The new section on digital wellness provides information on maintaining healthy habits when using smartphones, tablets, and computers. Content is organized for different audiences: youth and young adults, parents and caregivers, educators, and all New Yorkers. The resources aim to encourage healthier use of technology during a period when many receive new devices as holiday gifts or are home from school.
Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, stated: “Digital media is part of our everyday lives and when we use it in a way that feels balanced, it can help us stay connected, informed, and entertained. These resources are designed to help New Yorkers develop healthy habits with technology and avoid the behaviors that can leave them stressed, anxious, and depressed. This content continues Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to protecting youth mental health and ensuring everyone has access to the mental health resources they can rely on to thrive.”
The ‘Be Well’ site now offers general guidance for safely navigating social media platforms, maintaining online privacy, countering cyber-bullying, as well as other educational tools. It also links users to videos and evidence-based content from trusted organizations.
These efforts build upon a $1.9 million public awareness campaign aimed at improving mental well-being statewide. The website highlights how stress and traumatic events impact both physical and mental health while providing accessible strategies for improvement.
Governor Hochul has prioritized youth mental health through recent legislative actions. The FY 2026 State Budget included measures establishing statewide standards for distraction-free schools by eliminating smartphone use in classrooms. Legislation negotiated by Governor Hochul requires social media companies to display warning labels when young users encounter certain features known for encouraging prolonged engagement; these warnings cannot be bypassed or dismissed easily.
Earlier this year all K-12 schools across New York enacted policies prohibiting smartphone use throughout the school day—a move that makes New York the largest state requiring such restrictions in its schools.
Additionally, Governor Hochul signed into law last year the Safe for Kids Act—mandating social media platforms restrict addictive feeds for minors—and enacted the New York Child Data Protection Act which prevents online services from collecting or sharing personal data from those under 18 without proper consent unless strictly necessary.