Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) urged urgent congressional action to protect children and teens from the potential mental-health harms of social media. They highlighted two bipartisan proposals — the Stop the Scroll Act (mental-health warning labels) and the Kids Off Social Media Act (restricting under-13 accounts and requiring safeguards). Both senators framed the issue as parents first, not partisans, and warned the U.S. risks falling behind other countries on youth online safety.
Bipartisan Senators Britt and Fetterman Call for Urgent Action on Kids’ Social Media Safety
Sens. Katie Britt and John Fetterman warn against inaction on social media guardrails for young people
Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) used a joint appearance at NBC News' Common Ground event to press Congress for swift action on social media safeguards for children and teenagers, citing concerns about mental health and the need for bipartisan solutions.
Legislation Under Consideration
The senators discussed two bipartisan measures aimed at limiting harm to young users. Britt introduced the Stop the Scroll Act, which would require social platforms to display prominent mental-health warning labels. Fetterman is a co-sponsor of that bill.
Both senators also support the Kids Off Social Media Act, introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). That proposal would restrict account creation for children under 13 and require schools and platforms to implement age-appropriate safeguards and controls. Neither bill has yet reached the Senate floor for a vote.
Kristen Welker speaks to Sens. Katie Britt and John Fetterman in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)(Caroline Gutman for NBC News)
Personal Perspectives and Bipartisan Framing
Speaking with NBC News' Kristen Welker, the pair framed their work not as a partisan effort but as concerned parents.
"We did this together, not just as senators, but as parents, because we have young children too,"Fetterman said, with Britt adding,
"We approach this not as Democrats or Republicans, but as concerned parents."
They noted that other countries have taken steps on this issue and warned the U.S. risks falling behind if Congress does not act.
Broader Reactions and Context
At the same event, Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) argued that social media has amplified toxicity and polarization in politics. Malliotakis described online backlash she received after voting with Democrats on a measure related to temporary protections for some Haitians, while Dingell called social media "one of the worst things that’s happened to this country."
The two senators talked about their bipartisan efforts on social media legislation. (Caroline Gutman for NBC News)(Caroline Gutman for NBC News)
Personal Impact and a Message on Mental Health
Fetterman described how heavy social media use after his 2022 Senate victory worsened his depression, saying he now limits his time online. Britt recounted visiting him at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center when he sought treatment, praising his courage and emphasizing the human side of the policy debate.
Other Issues and Lighter Moments
The senators also touched on foreign policy: both said they would support keeping the U.S. engaged on Iran-related matters — a position that makes Fetterman an outlier among many Democrats. He defended his votes as focused on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, even if those votes are politically difficult within his party.
On a lighter note, both praised NASA, though they disagreed about traveling to space: Britt said she would go, while Fetterman quipped,
"I don’t think they have a 4XL in a suit."
Bottom line: Britt and Fetterman are using bipartisan, parental arguments to push for warning labels, age limits and school-platform safeguards to protect youth mental health — urging Congress to act before other countries set the standard.
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