Stop the Scroll Act

This bill would require social media and other covered platforms to show a clear mental health warning when people in the U.S. open the app or site. The warning must explain possible mental health harms and link to federal help, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It can’t be hidden in terms and conditions or behind a link. Users can choose to proceed after acknowledging the risk, but the warning must pop up again after each hour of continuous use. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with the Surgeon General, must set the detailed rules within 180 days. The law would start one year after it’s enacted. These steps are based on findings that heavy social media use can harm mental health and that clear warning labels can raise awareness and influence behavior .

The FTC would enforce the rules, and state attorneys general could also sue to protect residents. For knowing or repeated violations, civil penalties can add up based on the number of days out of compliance or the number of users who didn’t see the label, multiplied by a maximum amount set in federal law. The law would also cover violations involving people in the U.S., even if actions happen elsewhere .

• Who is affected: Covered platform providers and their users in the United States .
• What changes: Mandatory, on-screen mental health warning at access and every hour; must include resources like 988; cannot be hidden or disabled .
• Who enforces: FTC and state attorneys general; penalties for knowing or repeated violations can be significant .
• When: FTC sets rules within 180 days; law takes effect one year after enactment .