WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI) and Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT) have introduced the Protecting Young Minds Online Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at combating the harmful effects of social media and emerging technologies on children’s mental health.

The legislation would require the Center for Mental Health Services to develop and disseminate a comprehensive national strategy to address the mental health challenges posed by digital platforms, with a focus on equipping families, educators, and young people with tools to foster well-being in an increasingly online world.

“Social media and emerging technologies can have a harmful impact on children, driving depression, anxiety, and in worst cases, self-harm and suicide,” Steil said. “The federal government should work alongside families, teachers, and children to provide the tools necessary to promote positive mental health and keep our children safe.”

Balint, a mother of two teenagers and a former teacher, emphasized the urgency of the issue: “The loneliness crisis in this country affects us all one way or another. And young Americans are relying on social media and technology to find a sense of connection. But we know social media exposure can also have negative effects on mental health. It’s critical we act to better understand the potential harms.”

Rising Youth Mental Health Concerns

Data from the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey underscores the need for action:

• Nearly 1 in 3 teenage girls seriously considered attempting suicide.
• 40% of all students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
• 850,000 youth aged 12–17 and 1.5 million adults attempted suicide in 2023.

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The CDC also reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15–24.

Beyond suicide risk, studies link social media use to increased distraction, exposure to cyberbullying, and distorted perceptions of reality, all of which can fuel anxiety and depression.

A Renewed Push

This bill marks Steil’s second effort to advance legislation targeting youth mental health in the digital age; he introduced a similar proposal in 2023. The new iteration reflects growing bipartisan momentum to take federal action on what many view as a public health crisis.

If passed, the Protecting Young Minds Online Act would serve as a starting point for coordinated national efforts to study, understand, and mitigate the mental health consequences of screen-based technologies on children and adolescents.

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