Governor Mikie Sherrill spoke with students about mental health and harmful exposure to social media while visiting a New Jersey high school on Wednesday. Gov. Sherrill, along with Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, Jacqueline Gibbs, the President of the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association, and represe ntatives from the Lenape High School District discussed her online safety agenda at Cherokee High School in Marlton. Since taking office, Gov. Sherrill has focused on what she describes as a youth mental health crisis, including rising rates of depression and anxiety among children. Advocates believe the crisis has been amplified by unrestricted social media usage and algorithms pushed by Big Tech that they describe as “predatory” and “addictive.” “Across the nation, we are facing a stark reality – our kids are struggling with an unprecedented mental health crisis, and social media is playing a big part. As a mom of four, I can tell you with certainty that our country is failing our children when it comes to protecting them online,” Gov. Sherrill said. “We have a responsibility to do better. My Administration is committed to counteracting the harms of social media and supporting youth mental health, and I am proud to put forward a plan that reflects these values.”  On her first day as governor, Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 6 which created the Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety within New Jersey’s Department of Health. The office coordinates efforts to help keep children safe online while also directing all state agencies with jurisdiction over issues related to kids and their interaction with technology. The governor’s recent 2027 spending proposal for the state included a $125,000 investment to support the new office. The plan also includes a $500,000 investment to fund New Jersey’s first ever Social Media Research Center. The center – which would be located at a New Jersey college or university – would focus on the relationship between digital technology and the mental health and wellbeing of children. NBC10 spoke with students at Cherokee High School, where a cellphone ban is set to go into effect during the next school year. “I feel like it kind of determines on the person,” one student said. “People who really don’t use their phone as much will probably accept the law. But people who are constantly on their phone, I feel like it would kind of like interrupt what they’ve been knowing for so long. And I feel like that could kind of change their routine set a bit.” ...read more read less