Buckeye Reporter

Ohio Senator Jon Husted has joined a legislative effort aimed at addressing the mental health impacts of social media use among children and teenagers. The proposed legislation, known as the Stop the Scroll Act, would require warning labels on social media platforms to alert users to potential mental health risks.

“As more and more children and teens use social media, a warning label should be prominently displayed highlighting the potential harms of using social media platforms. The Stop the Scroll Act would help young people grasp the mental health risks that come with social media. I’ll continue to back solutions that prioritize the safety of our kids and communities,” said Husted.

The bill outlines that the U.S. surgeon general would be responsible for developing a warning label detailing possible mental health effects associated with specific platforms. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would oversee implementation, ensuring these warnings appear in pop-up boxes when users open an app or website. Users would have to acknowledge these warnings before proceeding, and applications could not hide or alter the language set by the surgeon general.

The warning label would also direct users to federal resources such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for those experiencing mental health issues.

Recent research indicates that children and teenagers spend about 3.5 hours daily on social media, with usage over three hours linked to higher risks of depression and anxiety. Last year, a former surgeon general recommended placing warning labels on these platforms.

Husted’s support for this bill follows his ongoing work in children's mental health advocacy. He recently worked with Senator Fetterman on a resolution recognizing May 4 through May 10, 2025 as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week—a measure passed by the Senate—to highlight early detection, treatment, intervention, and prevention strategies for youth mental health concerns.

The full text of the Stop the Scroll Act is available here.