FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 10, 2024
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Builds on Established Portfolio of Youth Mental Health Advocacy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of World Mental Health Day, Senator George Helmy (D-NJ) today announced he will co-sponsor the Stop the Scroll Act. Introduced last month by Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and John Fetterman (D-PA), the bipartisan bill would require social media platforms to display a mental health warning label to users upon opening the technology. The Surgeon General would develop the label aimed at warning users of the potential mental health impacts of using the social media platform and the Federal Trade Commission would be charged with implementing and enforcing the bill. The legislation would also require social media companies toprovide information to connect users to available mental health resources.
“Our children are facing challenges that have never been experienced by generations prior. The constant exposure to social media is creating great harm on their mental health. As we recognize World Mental Health day, it’s important that we continue to keep our nation’s youth mental health as a top priority,” said Senator Helmy. “I thank Senators Britt and Fetterman for their continued efforts to crack down on social media platforms that have a major impact on our children. This bill is a commonsense bipartisan measure that can make a real change in the lives of our youth.”
“Every child deserves the chance to live their own personal American Dream, but our nation’s youth mental health crisis is getting in the way for far too many,” said Senator Britt. “With the Stop the Scroll Act, Congress can follow through on the Surgeon General’s call to create a warning label for social media platforms while also requiring the warning to point users to mental health resources. Equipped with the knowledge of the dangers and empowered with the resources to address it, this simple solution will help parents and kids thrive. I’m grateful Senator Helmy will be joining Senator Fetterman and me on this important effort to protect our children and safeguard our future.”
“As a Senator, but more importantly, as a dad to three young kids, I feel a duty to address how dangerous unchecked social media can be for our mental health. The evidence is right in front of us—addiction, anxiety, depression, and suicide are on the rise, and it’s directly tied to these platforms. Senator Britt and I are introducing the Stop the Scroll Act to make sure our laws catch up with the reality we are living in. This bill will help kids and parents alike take control of their social media use, not the other way around,” said Senator Fetterman.
Since taking office, Senator Helmy has co-sponsored several bills pertaining to youth mental health, including:
- The Youth Mental Health Data Act, which would create a federal youth mental health task force to develop a national strategy for youth mental health improvement data systems. The task force would be comprised of representatives from federal agencies, medical societies and nonprofits, youth with relatable experience, and media and technology companies. The task force would submit a report to state governors sharing opportunities for partnerships at the local and state levels. These streamlined processes would help policymakers achieve maximum effectiveness by targeting resources where they will have the most impact.
- The Supporting All Students Act, which would establish a youth peer-to-peer support line that is integrated with 988, the national mental health crisis and suicide prevention number. Specifically aimed at youth ages 10-25, this line would provide youth with support from a trained peer responder, supervised by licensed mental health professionals, on a variety of issues such as relationship or family problems, academic or athletics-related stress, feelings of depression or anxiety, and bullying. This bill would also establish a new grant program run through the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for schools to hire mental health coordinators, with priority given to schools in high-poverty areas.
- The Pride in Mental Health Act, which would award grants to assess and improve mental health and substance use outcomes of LGBTQ+ youth. These grants would develop and provide behavioral health and crisis intervention resources as well as issue school bullying guidelines, among other provisions.
“I enthusiastically applaud Senator Helmy’s co-sponsorship of the Stop The Scroll Act,” said Steve Margeotes, Founder and Executive Director of Main St. Counseling. “As Founder of Main St. Counseling, our non-profit assists hundreds of individuals who increased their isolation during and after the pandemic with social media, resulting in escalated rates of depression and anxiety. I hope this bill passes and helps assist these consumers.”
“Family Connections commends Senator George Helmy for co-sponsoring the Stop the Scroll Act, a crucial step in addressing the mental health challenges posed by social media,” said Jacques Hryshko, CEO of Family Connections. “By requiring platforms to display mental health warning labels, this legislation not only raises awareness about potential impacts of social media on one’s mental health but also connects users to vital resources. We believe this initiative will enable individuals to make informed choices about their digital consumption, fostering a supportive and healthy online environment for all.”
“The Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris strongly supports Sen. Helmy’s leadership in co-sponsoring the Stop the Scroll Act. It is a simple yet effective measure that will help protect our most precious resource, our children,” said Robert N. Davison, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris. “Sadly children spend too much time on their phones, and this constant scrolling is having a negative impact on their mental health. We know this because that is what that kids that we serve are telling us. They want and deserve adult leadership on this issue. We are grateful that Sen. Helmy has stepped up to the plate.”
“At The Gem Project, we’ve seen firsthand how the mental health of young people is impacted by the constant barrage of content on social media. The Stop the Scroll Act is an essential step in ensuring that our youth are not only informed about the potential effects on their well-being but are also given the resources they need to seek support. We applaud Senator Helmy’s leadership in prioritizing mental health awareness and giving users, particularly our most vulnerable populations, the tools to navigate the digital world more responsibly,” said Amanda Ebokosia, Founder and CEO at The Gem Project, Inc.
“As a young advocate from New Jersey who has collaborated with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy at the White House, I strongly believe in the importance of addressing the growing influence of social media on youth mental health,” said Davida Padi. “The bipartisan Stop the Scroll Act will provide young people like me with the tools to comprehend the potential risks of social media and access the necessary mental health support to combat these challenges.”
“As a provider of mental health programs in schools, I have seen the negative impact social media can have on our youth. It can impact their self-esteem through endless comparisons to others, can impact their mood due to negative messaging, online bullying and the spread of misinformation and can affect their social connections due to extended use and avoidance of real life interactions. I would support any efforts that mitigate the negative impact of social media on the mental health of our young people,” said Lauren Balkan, LCSW, Director of School Based Clinical Services, Deputy Director, Wellspring Center for Prevention.
To view the full text of the Stop the Scroll Act, click here.