Mental Health Awareness Month Initiative

With the arrival of Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Senators Katie Britt and John Fetterman (R-PA) are bringing back legislation aimed at safeguarding Americans from the negative effects of social media.

This initiative, first put forth in September 2024, is called the Stop the Scroll Act. It mandates that social media platforms must display warning labels informing users about the adverse impact that social media engagement can have on mental health.

“Senator Fetterman and I are taking action during Mental Health Awareness Month to address issues closely linked to the deteriorating mental health of our nation—specifically, the uptick in social media use,” Britt mentioned at a press briefing.

“The Stop the Scroll Act will implement warning labels for social media channels, responding to the surgeon general’s call from last year.”

Lawmakers in Alabama express strong interest in this law, suggesting it could offer social media users valuable guidance on dealing with mental health challenges.

“It’s vital that we provide support for individuals facing difficulties related to social media,” Britt stated. “We need those warning labels to direct users to mental health resources. This straightforward measure, combined with information about potential dangers, can help both parents and children.”

Fetterman emphasized his role as a father of three as a key motivation for backing this legislation.

“I’ve seen these issues first-hand. The proof is evident—there’s a rise in addiction, anxiety, depression, and even suicide, and we can trace many of these issues to social media platforms,” Fetterman remarked. “We’re proud to collaborate with Senator Britt to reintroduce the Stop the Scroll Act and to update our laws according to current realities. By offering resources to those in crisis from social media, we can improve access to the help they need.”

Britt noted that the surgeon general had previously called for a warning label to be utilized on social media platforms. Specifically, the proposal includes enlisting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create labels alerting users about the potential risks to their mental well-being when using social media.

The warning will be presented in a pop-up box format once a user accesses a social media platform.

Users will then be required to acknowledge the potential mental health risks before they can continue using the platform.

This warning label cannot be easily dismissed or hidden, and its wording will align with the guidelines set forth by the surgeon general. Furthermore, it will connect users to available mental health resources.