WASHINGTON, D.C. — Shortly after Steve Marshall announced a major settlement with the online gaming platform Roblox focused on child safety, federal lawmakers are advancing new legislation aimed at protecting minors across social media platforms.
The Alabama settlement secured $12.2 million for school resource officers and introduced a series of safety measures, including stricter age verification, expanded parental controls, and limits on communication between minors and adults. The agreement also requires additional cooperation with law enforcement to address online exploitation and related concerns.
The announcement comes as the Stop the Scroll Act, a bipartisan proposal targeting youth mental health risks associated with social media, has passed the Senate Commerce Committee.
Led by Katie Britt and John Fetterman, the bill would require social media platforms to display mental health warning labels to users under the age of 18.
Under the proposed legislation, minors would see a pop-up warning upon opening a platform, outlining potential mental health risks and providing access to support resources. Users would be required to acknowledge the warning before continuing, and the label could not be hidden or bypassed.
Supporters of both the state-level settlement and the federal legislation point to growing concerns about the effects of online platforms on children and teenagers. Issues cited include exposure to harmful content, online exploitation, and rising rates of anxiety and depression linked to digital environments.
Alabama’s agreement with Roblox also establishes what state officials describe as a framework for holding platforms accountable, including the use of facial age estimation technology and government-issued identification for verifying user ages. The settlement further expands parental oversight, allowing restrictions on communication and in-game transactions involving minors.
At the federal level, lawmakers say the Stop the Scroll Act is part of a broader effort to increase transparency and provide families with tools to better understand and manage the risks associated with social media use.
The Senate committee’s approval marks an early step in the legislative process, with the bill expected to face additional consideration before potentially moving to the House of Representatives.
