Stop the Scroll Act
Congress Proposes Mental Health Warning Labels for Social Media Platforms
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would require social media apps and websites to show a warning label about mental health risks every time a person in the U.S. opens the app.
- Users would have to click a button to acknowledge the potential for harm before they could start scrolling, and the warning would pop up again after every hour of continuous use.
- The labels must include links to federal mental health resources, such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to help users who may be struggling.
- The goal is to address concerns about social media addiction, cyberbullying, and other harms by making sure users are aware of the risks before they engage with the platforms.
- The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general would have the power to fine companies that fail to display these warnings properly.
- If the bill becomes law, the new rules would take effect one year later, giving the government time to decide exactly what the labels should look like.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small businesses that rely heavily on social media platforms for marketing, customer engagement, and sales could see reduced user engagement if warning labels discourage time spent on platforms. If users spend less time scrolling or are deterred by repeated warnings, small businesses may find it harder to reach their audiences through social media advertising and organic content.
Disabilities
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articles
Sen. Britt reintroduces the Stop the Scroll Act during Mental Health Awareness Month
Senators Katie Britt and John Fetterman reintroduced the Stop the Scroll Act, which mandates mental health warning labels on social media. The bill requires the Surgeon General to develop labels that pop up when an app opens and every hour thereafter, including links to the 988 crisis lifeline.
Senate bill proposes warning for social media | Opinions differ on efficacy of 'Stop the Scroll' act
The 'Stop the Scroll' bill aims to force social media platforms to display mental health warnings that users must acknowledge before proceeding. The warning reappears after each continuous hour of use. Experts are divided on whether these 'stickers' will effectively curb digital addiction.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Stop the Scroll Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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