Texas Rep. Mary Gonzalez wants users to acknowledge social media’s risks to mental health before using platforms like Facebook.
On March 17, a House Committee on Public Health convened to discuss House Bill 499, authored by Gonzalez (D-Clint). If passed, users would be required to click a warning label confirming they understand the risks social media presents to the mental health of minors.
A similar bill was raised last year by then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Known as the Stop the Scroll Act, Murthy wanted platforms flagged with warnings similar to those seen on packs of cigarettes. After being introduced in September, it ultimately failed to make it out of committee.
The debate over how to handle the risks to minors persists across the country. In 2024, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law to stop minors under 14 from accessing social media.
The law, effective January 1, 2025, requires social media sites to delete the accounts of any Florida residents in their system who are under 14 years of age. The platforms have up to 90 days of the law going live to comply, with fines of up to $50,000 per violation possible. […]
— Read More: dallasexpress.com
