United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is urging Congress to place health warning labels on social media apps, suggesting that overuse of online platforms should be treated similarly to the harmful effects of tobacco products.
In an op-ed published by the New York Times on Monday, Murthy stated that social media has become “an important contributor” to the mental health crisis plaguing young Americans, justifying the drastic measure.
“It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents. A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe,” Murthy wrote. “Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.”
Learn the benefits of becoming a Valuetainment Member and subscribe today!
The first surgeon general warning was implemented in 1964 when Surgeon General Luther L. Terry’s office linked smoking to lung cancer and heart disease. In 1965, Congress mandated that all cigarette cartons carry the disclaimer “Caution: Cigarette Smoking May Be Hazardous to Your Health.”
While Murthy admits that a similar warning label would not fully solve the problem or make social media completely safe for young users, he expressed hope that this step could be paired with other measures from Congress, as well as responsible behavior by parents and social media companies.
“Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, and the average daily use in this age group, as of the summer of 2023, was 4.8 hours,” Murthy continued in his op-ed. “Additionally, nearly half of adolescents say social media makes them feel worse about their bodies.”
Per the latest Pew Research Center findings, 95 percent of those between the ages of 13 and 17 use at least one social media platform, with upwards of one-third of those saying they use social media “almost constantly.”
Related: Mark Zuckerberg Apologizes to Victims of Online Sexual Exploitation
Last year, Murthy’s office issued an advisory warning of a lack of evidence proving that social media is safe for children, calling on lawmakers to regulate the platforms in the same way as car seats and baby formula.
“Why is it that we have failed to respond to the harms of social media when they are no less urgent or widespread than those posed by unsafe cars, planes or food?” Murthy wrote. “These harms are not a failure of willpower and parenting; they are the consequence of unleashing powerful technology without adequate safety measures, transparency or accountability.”
The surgeon general also called for Congress to require social media platforms to protect underage users from online harassment and exploitation, as well as exposure to violent or sexual content.
“The measures should prevent platforms from collecting sensitive data from children and should restrict the use of features like push notifications, autoplay and infinite scroll, which prey on developing brains and contribute to excessive use,” he continued. “Additionally, companies must be required to share all of their data on health effects with independent scientists and the public — currently they do not — and allow independent safety audits.”
“While the platforms claim they are making their products safer, Americans need more than words. We need proof.”
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Got a hot scoop or an idea for a story? Connect with the VT writers on Minnect!
Add comment