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ABOUT

The World Has Changed

From the way we get news to how we connect with friends; the digital world now shapes nearly every part of daily life. Smartphones give us instant access to information, entertainment, and connections that once required libraries, landlines, or calculators. But while digital convenience is at our fingertips, it also brings real risks. Families are left to wonder whether the platforms they use are truly safe and if they support or undermine the well-being of young people.


Next Slide: Why Online Safety Matters

Why Online Safety Matters

Technology and social media open doors for connection, creativity, and learning. But for many young people, they can also fuel comparison, isolation, anxiety, and depression. In the most serious cases, they are linked to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Families are often left asking a critical question: Do these spaces truly protect kids?


Next Slide: The Problem

The Problem

Digital technology now plays a central role in daily life, especially among youth. As of January 2025, over 7 billion smartphones are in use worldwide, and 75% of people over 13 use social media. Teens spend an average of 7–8 hours a day on screens, and every day, 1 billion health-related questions are asked on Google.


While these platforms offer entertainment and connection, their excessive and unregulated use can worsen mental health challenges. Right now, there are no universal standards, consistent guidance for families, or trusted systems to show which platforms truly protect young people.


Next Slide: The SOS Solution

The SOS Solution

To fill this gap, The Mental Health Coalition created Safe Online Standards (SOS). This is the world’s first rating system designed to show how well social media and technology companies protect mental health, support well-being, and handle suicide-related content.


SOS works much like safety ratings for cars or nutrition labels on food, giving families a clear and trusted way to understand risks. Developed with experts, research, and feedback from youth, parents, and educators, the SOS standards evaluate companies across five key areas: Policies, Governance and Transparency, Functionality, Content, and Digital Literacy and Well-Being.


Next Slide: Global Endorsements

Global Endorsements

SOS has received support from leading experts and non- profit organizations from around the world in youth mental health, suicide prevention, and online safety. 


Next Slide: How You Can Help

How You Can Help

The success of SOS depends on reaching families, youth, and professionals. Your support of SOS can:

  • Reach educators and students in schools, youth groups, and community programs.

  • Equip parents with tools to talk about digital safety and platform ratings.

  • Help healthcare providers guide families on the mental health impact of technology.

Next Slide: The Road Ahead

The Road Ahead

Initial efforts focused on youth ages 13–19, where research is strongest. But children as young as five are now online, and adults remain the largest group of social media users. The plan is to adapt SOS for younger children and expand for adults as well.


This is only the beginning. With continued partnership and engagement, SOS can become a standard part of everyday digital life. The vision is clear: a future where online safety is visible, reliable, and actionable for everyone.


Together, we can reduce digital harm and build a healthier, safer future for all. Join SOS and take the next step toward lasting change.


End of slides

Aerial View of Islands

VISION

To create the first ever set of standards and ratings of online technology companies.

GOAL

To make it easier for youth, parents, and educators to know what platforms are safe(r) for people to be on.

REASON

Because to date there is nothing to ensure that online technology companies protect the mental health and well being of youth.
Calendar Pages

2023

  • Conducted a Global Ecosystem Analysis and Vision Alignment working session.

  • Developed an Implementation Roadmap, recruited international experts and steering committee.

  • Conducted focus groups, surveys, reviewed existing literature, recommendations, guidelines, policy statements and other working documents created on this topic from around the world which was placed into a matrix alongside more than 30 recommended areas for standards.

  • Convened experts Dec 5-6, 2023 in NYC. The experts reviewed the background information, matrix and coalesced around five primary categories of standards. Following the meeting, Dr. Reidenberg drafted the first set of standards.

2024

  • Received IRB approval, developed a Delphi research model to obtain consensus and ratings of the standards.

  • Conducted an open public comment period, focus groups, surveys and built an Organization Task Force for input, endorsement and dissemination of standards.

  • Pilot tested the consensus-based, data-driven standards, building an application website and expert review panel and process.

2025

  • We looked at how existing industry, regulatory, and standards-based rating systems work to shape the SOS scoring approach.

  • Developed initial scoring criteria and rating levels.

  • Created multiple visual versions of the ratings.

  • Tested scoring models and visuals with youth, parents, educators, healthcare providers and experts.

  • Collected feedback on clarity, credibility, and ease of understanding.

  • Engaged the first cohort of technology companies. Two companies submitted supporting documentation for review.

  • Independent experts reviewed submitted materials and applied SOS scoring criteria. Scores were assigned based on documented evidence.

  • Recruited additional experts to support ongoing application review and scoring

ADAA
AFSP
AIM for Mental Health
All Tech Is Human (ATIH)
Black Girls Smile
Creative Visions
Child Mind Institute (CMI)
Crisis Text Line
Depression Grand Challenge
Teen Line - A Program of Didi Hirsch
Active Minds
Education Development Center Action Alliance
Essentia Health
Fountain House
International OCD Foundation
JJ’s Hello Foundation
Kevin’s Song
Mental Health Collaborative
NAMI
National PTA
Kids Mental Health Foundation
The Jed Foundation
Our Minds Matter
Project Liberty
Sandy Hook Promise
Smart Gen Society
Storytelling Coalition
Silence the Shame
Thorn
The Trevor Project

THE MENTAL HEALTH COALITION

The Mental Health Coalition (MHC) is a coalition of the Nation’s leading mental health organizations, brands, and individuals who have joined forces to end the debilitating stigma surrounding mental health and to change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness. Our mission is to catalyze like-minded communities to work together to destigmatize mental health and empower access to vital resources and necessary support for all.

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The Mental Health Coalition was formed with the understanding that the mental health crisis is fueled by a pervasive and devastating stigma, preventing millions of individuals from being able to seek the critical treatment they need. We will not relent until mental health is no longer associated with stigma, shame or judgment and all people feel empowered to openly discuss and address their individual mental health needs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The Mental Health Coalition (MHC), founded by designer and activist Kenneth Cole, is a nonprofit coalition of the nation's leading organizations, brands, and individuals who have joined forces to end the stigma surrounding mental health. MHC is socializing, normalizing, and destigmatizing mental health while empowering access to vital resources for all.

  • SOS is a long-term project created by MHC to support youth mental health and well-being in the digital world. The program sets clear standards and a ratings system for online platforms, helping families and communities understand how well these platforms look after young users.

  • The SOS initiative is financially supported by MHC, which continues to seek additional funding to sustain this long-term effort. A key feature of the program is its independence: SOS is conducted without any influence or funding from technology companies, special interest groups or regulatory bodies.

  • No, neither the federal government nor any state government administers or funds the SOS program. This independence is intentional it preserves neutrality and public trust. While MHC keeps government agencies informed, they do not influence SOS’s development or decision-making.

  • No, none of the technology companies were involved or given the chance to have any influence on the development of SOS. The first cohort of technology companies included Discord, Google/YouTube, Meta, Pinterest, Roblox, TikTok, Twitch. These companies were briefed on the development of SOS as it was created and offered the first chance to apply.

  • Yes. The development of the SOS standards was guided by an internationally recognized panel of experts and a steering committee, all of whom possess diverse backgrounds in youth development, mental health, technology, and safety. A complete list of the participating experts can be found here: (LINK).

    In addition to professionals, youth, parents, and individuals with lived experience played a central role in shaping the SOS initiative. Their input was gathered through focus groups, surveys, listening sessions, and a public comment period, ensuring that a broad range of perspectives influenced the final standards.

  • Yes. The development process for SOS included both MHC members and external organizations that came together as an Organizational Task Force. The Task Force provided input and feedback on the standards, ratings and dissemination ideas. These members and organizations are listed throughout this website.

  • No. SOS is not intended as a replacement for existing or pending legislation and/or regulations regarding youth online safety. Instead, it serves as a complementary, independent ratings system developed by experts, designed to help the public better understand how platforms support youth mental health.

  • When a technology company (such as Meta, Pinterest, or Discord) wishes to participate in the SOS program:
     

    1. The company applies and provides MHC with required documentation.

    2. The company is given the standards and conducts a self-assessment.

    3. The company returns the self-assessment along with all their supporting documentation and evidence for the scoring.

    4. SOS’s expert panel reviews and scores the application based on established standards.

    5. The company receives a rating according to the panel’s assessment.

    6. The company then has the option to finalize its application and formally adopt the SOS standards.

    7. Companies that do not score above the expert-derived thresholds for each standard are given the opportunity to work with MHC and develop an Implementation Plan.

    8. Upon adoption, the company is awarded a two-year “safety seal” and is listed on the SOS website along with its rating.

  • Yes. For all companies that opt to participate in the SOS program following the first cohort are required to pay a flat administrative fee. These fees help cover the costs associated with operating and evaluating the program.

  • After the initial standards launch, SOS will continue to grow and evolve. The initiative will:
     

    • Encourage additional technology companies to adopt the standards.

    • Partner with organizations that endorse the SOS framework.

    • Expand public education and awareness of SOS ratings.

    • Monitor new research and update standards as needed.

  • No.  Organizations that have given their endorsement have endorsed the SOS program, not the ratings a company receives or a social media company.

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