What does Preamble of S 1885 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To require the Federal Trade Commission, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human Services acting through the Surgeon General, to implement a mental health warning label on covered platforms, and for other purposes,' aims to require the Federal Trade Commission to implement mental health warning labels. The implementation of these labels requires the concurrence of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Surgeon General.

What does SHORT TITLE. of S 1885 do?

This Act is formally titled the 'Stop the Scroll Act'.

What does FINDINGS. of S 1885 do?

This section outlines findings related to the potential risks of social media platform use. It states that social media use is associated with risks to physical and mental health, including bullying, harassment, discrimination, and child sexual exploitation. The text indicates that product warning labels can increase awareness of risks and influence behavior. It asserts that addictive algorithms encourage extended social media use, potentially contributing to negative health impacts. The Federal Government is identified as having a compelling interest in ensuring users can make informed decisions about their time spent on covered platforms. The Surgeon General issued an advisory in May 2023 warning of social media's impact on mental health and advocating for warning labels. The section suggests requiring clear, factual risk disclosures to ensure users are adequately informed. This approach is presented as aligning with established public health standards and drawing lessons from warning labels on tobacco and alcohol.

What does DEFINITIONS. of S 1885 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. An 'anonymous content sharing platform' is defined as a website or mobile application not requiring registration used to share various content types. The 'Commission' refers to the Federal Trade Commission. A 'covered platform' is either a 'social media platform' as defined in the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022 or an 'anonymous content sharing platform'. A 'covered platform provider' is any person providing, managing, operating, or controlling a covered platform for commercial purposes. The 'Secretary' refers to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. A 'user' is a person who registers, creates a profile, or accesses a covered platform.

What does WARNING LABEL. of S 1885 do?

This section mandates that covered platform providers display a mental health warning label each time a user accesses the platform while in the United States. The warning label must warn users of potential negative mental health impacts and provide access to federal resources, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The label must not be displayed exclusively through a hyperlink or in terms and conditions and cannot be disabled by users except as specified. The label must reappear after each hour of continuous use if a user acknowledges potential harm and proceeds. The Commission, with the Surgeon General's concurrence, must promulgate regulations for the covered label within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The Commission and Surgeon General must review and revise these regulations at least once every five years.

What does ENFORCEMENT. of S 1885 do?

This section establishes enforcement mechanisms for the Act. The Commission can enforce the Act similarly to how it enforces the Federal Trade Commission Act. Nonprofit organizations and common carriers are specifically included in the Commission's enforcement authority. State attorneys general are authorized to bring civil actions on behalf of state residents against covered platform providers for violations of the Act. Civil penalties for violations found in state actions are calculated based on the number of days of non-compliance or the number of affected end users, capped by FTC Act penalties. State attorneys general must notify the Commission before initiating a civil action, except when immediate notification is infeasible. The Commission can intervene in state-led civil actions. State attorneys general retain investigatory powers under state law. If the Commission initiates an action, state attorneys general cannot bring a separate action based on the same facts. Extraterritorial jurisdiction applies if a violation involves an individual in the United States or an act in furtherance of the violation was committed in the United States.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of S 1885 do?

This Act will become effective one year after its enactment.

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Stop the Scroll Act — S. 1885

Last updated: 5/22/2025 · Introduced: 5/22/2025

Author: Katie Britt (R-AL)

TL;DR (AI)

The Stop the Scroll Act requires covered social media and anonymous content sharing platforms to display mental health warning labels each time a user accesses the platform in the United States, informing them of potential negative mental health impacts and providing access to federal resources.
The Federal Trade Commission, with the concurrence of the Surgeon General, will develop and regularly review regulations for these warning labels.
State attorneys general are authorized to bring civil actions against covered platform providers for violations of the Act, with penalties based on non-compliance or the number of affected users.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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