U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Calls for Warning Labels on Social Media to Protect Youth Mental Health

Jun 18, 2024, 06:44 PM

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called for warning labels on social media platforms, similar to those found on cigarette packs, to highlight the potential mental health risks for adolescents. Murthy's proposal aims to address the growing concerns over the negative impact of social media on young people's mental health, particularly issues such as anxiety and depression. The Surgeon General emphasized that while warning labels alone won't make social media safe, they are a step toward increasing awareness and encouraging parents to monitor their children's online activities. The proposal, which requires congressional action, has garnered bipartisan support but faces skepticism from some experts who argue that the scientific evidence linking social media to mental health issues is not definitive. Additionally, some states and educational institutions are considering or implementing policies to restrict smartphone use in schools to further protect students' mental well-being. Nearly half of adolescents report that social media makes them feel worse about their appearance, and youth who spend at least three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms.