WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan bill requiring mental health warning labels for minors on social media platforms advanced in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, signaling potential new federal oversight of youth online safety.
What This Means for You
- Social media platforms could be required to display warnings for minors
- Users under 18 may need to acknowledge mental health risks before access
- Bill also directs users to mental health resources
The Stop the Scroll Act, introduced by U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Katie Britt, R-Ala., passed the committee by voice vote and now moves forward in the legislative process.
The proposal would require social media companies to display a pop-up warning label for users under 18 outlining potential mental health risks associated with platform use.
How the Warning System Would Work
Under the bill, minors would be required to acknowledge the warning before continuing to use a platform.
The warning could not be hidden or bypassed and would follow language recommended by the U.S. surgeon general.
It would also include links or information directing users to mental health resources.
“I know firsthand what it’s like to experience mental health struggles and the dark space it can put you in,” Fetterman said. “This is an important bill.”
Mental Health Concerns Driving Legislation
Lawmakers cited rising rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide among adolescents as a driving factor behind the legislation.
Research referenced by the bill’s sponsors indicates the average teenager spends about five hours per day on social media, with higher usage associated with poorer mental health outcomes.
“Every child deserves the chance to live their own personal American Dream,” Britt said. “This is a step in the right direction.”
Related Legislative Efforts
Fetterman has supported additional legislation aimed at limiting youth exposure to social media, including proposals to restrict access on school networks and set minimum age requirements.
Other federal efforts include broader online safety legislation designed to strengthen protections for children and teenagers using digital platforms.
Next Steps
The bill must pass the full Senate and House before it can be sent to the president for consideration.
Lawmakers said the measure builds on prior recommendations from federal health officials to increase awareness of the potential risks associated with social media use among young people.
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