Gov. Sherrill Visits South Jersey School To Highlight Kids' Online Safety

MARLTON, NJ — Governor Mikie Sherrill visited Cherokee High School in Marlton on Wednesday to share more on her plans to improve the safety of children online.

Along with other education leaders, she spent the day speaking to students and staff about how they feel mental health can be better addressed in their lives.

Sherrill and her coalition are targeting the ongoing youth mental health crisis that is resulting in higher rates of depression and anxiety among kids and adolescents.

"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," Sherrill said.

This is led by an unrestricted social media landscape and what her administration called "predatory, addictive algorithms" used by major companies.

"We have a responsibility to do better," Sherrill added.

On Wednesday, she highlighted her plans for the State's first-ever Social Media Research Center that would be backed by $500,000 in her 2027 Fiscal Year proposed budget.

The addition would be within one of New Jersey's public higher education facilities and focus on the relationship between digital technology and children's mental well-being.

On her first day in office, Sherrill signed an Executive Order that created the "Office of Youth Online Mental Health Safety and Awareness" under the New Jersey Department of Health.

The move pulls government efforts together to keep kids safe online by directing all state agencies with jurisdiction over types of interactions with technology platforms that kids have online to make this issue an even greater priority.

Her proposed budget for 2027 includes $125,000 to further support the office's initiatives.

"As educators, we believe in lifelong learning, and that philosophy extends to mental health and safety, you are never truly finished," Lenape Regional High School District Superintendent Matt Webb added.

Along with Webb, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and New Jersey Parent Teacher Association President Jacqueline Gibbs joined Sherrill for Wednesday's events at Cherokee High School.

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