US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on Congress yesterday to require warning labels on social media platforms, like those for tobacco and alcohol, to highlight their potential harm to children’s mental health.
In a New York Times op-ed, Murthy identified social media as a major factor in the mental health crisis among adolescents, citing a 2019 study that linked over three hours of daily social media use to a doubled risk of anxiety and depression—teens average 4.8 hours per day. He argued previous research shows warning labels can raise awareness and influence parental behavior. The op-ed follows his May 2023 advisory recommending limits on social media use, such as phone-free schools and restricting access until after middle school.
A Surgeon General’s warning requires legislation from Congress. More than a dozen states have passed laws limiting adolescent social media use, but several have been blocked in court. A trade group said the responsibility should fall on parents and not the government or tech companies.
Surgeon General Recommends Warning Labels for Social Media added by Staff on
View all posts by Staff →
A good idea… and bit late… and feckless without responsible parents
Go to any Corporate or Government Building and just watch the People inside walking around and the People outside walking around and sitting, 98% have their Phones out and they are staring at them, not even looking up as they walk. And these are Adults. Your warning labels are a waste of time. Remember all the People getting hit by Vehicles playing Poky-Mon-Go? 95% were Adults.