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Bill

AB 960

Relating to: requiring social media platforms to provide mental health warnings and providing a penalty.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Allen and 24 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill requiring social media platforms to display mental health warnings to users, with penalties for non-compliance.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 960

Legislative bill overview

AB 960 would mandate that social media platforms display mental health warnings to users, similar to warnings found on tobacco or alcohol products. The bill includes penalties for platforms that fail to comply with these warning requirements. The measure addresses growing concerns about social media's potential effects on user mental health, particularly among younger audiences.

Why is this important

Social media use has been correlated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, especially in adolescents. A mandatory warning system could increase user awareness of potential mental health risks before engaging with platforms. This represents an early legislative attempt to address platform accountability for mental health impacts through disclosure requirements rather than content restrictions.

Potential points of contention

  • First Amendment concerns: Opponents may argue mandatory speech requirements on private platforms raise constitutional questions about compelled speech and commercial expression
  • Effectiveness and implementation: Critics question whether warning labels meaningfully change user behavior, given mixed evidence about warning efficacy on other products, and debate what specific warnings should state
  • Jurisdiction and enforcement: Unclear how Wisconsin would enforce penalties against large national/international platforms, and whether federal commerce law preempts state-level social media regulation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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