The Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has issued a strong call to action regarding the threat that social media poses to children’s mental health. In an op-ed published in the New York Times, Dr. Murthy emphasized the urgent need for Congress to label social media apps, similar to the warnings found on cigarettes and alcohol. He argued that social media has become a significant contributor to the mental health crisis among young people.
Dr. Murthy backed his claims with evidence from various studies, including a 2019 American Medical Association study published in JAMA. This study revealed that teenagers who spend three hours a day on social media are twice as likely to experience depression. Additionally, a Gallup poll found that teenagers spend nearly five hours a day on social media apps.
However, Dr. Murthy cannot unilaterally implement warning labels on social media apps. Congressional action is necessary to enforce such labeling requirements. Therefore, Dr. Murthy pleaded with Congress to pass a bill that would require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, clearly stating the significant mental health harms associated with their use by adolescents.
To make his case even more compelling, Dr. Murthy pointed out the success of warning labels on tobacco products, which have led to a decline in cigarette smoking over the years. He emphasized that social media companies need to be held accountable for the harm they are causing to children. CEOs of tech companies, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have faced scrutiny from Congress regarding the impact of their platforms on children’s well-being.
Despite this scrutiny, Congress has taken little action to regulate children’s social media usage. Dr. Murthy believes it is high time for Congress to address this issue seriously. In an interview on NBC’s “Today” show, he expressed his deep concern as both a surgeon general and a parent. He noted that many parents are not aware of the risks associated with social media and that a warning label could help them understand these dangers.
Dr. Murthy’s recent declaration of an emergency and his appeal to Congress mark his most urgent call to action on this issue to date. In May 2023, he issued an advisory stating that there is not enough evidence to determine the safety of social media for children’s mental health. He recommended that parents limit their children’s social media use, asserting that 13 is too young to join social media platforms. However, such advisories do not require immediate action.
Dr. Murthy believes that the burden of managing social media should not solely rest on the shoulders of parents and children. He argues that social media platforms are designed to maximize the time kids spend on them and that more responsibility should be placed on the companies themselves.
While a warning label would be a step in the right direction, Dr. Murthy acknowledges that it would not be enough to solve the problem entirely. He suggests that schools should become phone-free environments for children, as should family events such as dinner time. He also urges parents to restrict their children’s use of social media until they graduate from middle school.
Several states have already taken action to address this issue. For example, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting children under 14 from having their own social media accounts, with parental consent required for children under 16. Similarly, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul plans to sign legislation that would ban algorithms in children’s social media feeds and prevent tech companies from sharing information about children under 18.
In conclusion, Dr. Murthy’s urgent call to action highlights the need for Congress to address the harmful effects of social media on children’s mental health. He emphasizes the importance of warning labels on social media apps and suggests additional measures like creating phone-free environments and setting limits on social media use. With states also taking steps to regulate social media for children, it is clear that the issue is receiving increased attention and action.
