U.S. Senator Katie Britt is actively pushing for “appropriate guardrails” to protect young social media users. In a panel discussion hosted by Semafor on Wednesday, lawmakers talked about the necessity of safeguarding young individuals against the risks associated with unchecked social media usage.
Accompanied by U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), Britt (R-Montgomery) highlighted a bipartisan strategy aimed at tackling issues she’s addressed for over two decades.
“When we’re talking about kids, we reflect on what we understand now versus what we knew when we first legislated online safety. It’s been a long time since MySpace—a lot has changed,” Britt remarked. “We’re not just approaching this from a partisan viewpoint; we’re coming together as concerned parents witnessing troubling data and challenges in our own communities.”
As a mom, I understand how dangerous social media can be for our children. The statistics are staggering. @senfettermanpa I believe, much like with cigarettes and alcohol, social media should carry warning labels that direct families to real help. pic.twitter.com/8pq5wu5xls
– Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@senkatiebritt) July 16, 2025
Britt shared alarming statistics that highlight the ongoing youth mental health crisis in the nation.
“According to the CDC, one in three high school girls considered suicide last year. Furthermore, 25% of these young women planned to take their own lives, and 13% actually attempted it,” she noted.
The senator stressed the urgency of addressing this crisis, calling it a bipartisan obligation for lawmakers.
“The issues are extensive,” Britt continued. “Whether it’s depression or getting trapped in harmful algorithms, John and I strongly believe that inaction isn’t an option. We owe kids more: a suitable safety net that provides proper protections while allowing them to discover and explore safely.”
Studies indicate a significant correlation between social media engagement and mental health decline, particularly in younger populations. Between 2019 and 2021, the overall screen time for tweens (ages 8-12) surged by 17%, with tweens averaging 5 hours and 33 minutes daily on screens, while teens averaged 8 hours and 39 minutes.
