(RightIsRight.co) – In response to escalating mental health concerns among American teenagers, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has urged Congress to pass legislation mandating warning labels on social media platforms like those found on tobacco products.
The 46-year-old surgeon criticized social networks for exacerbating what he termed a “mental health crisis” among the nation’s youth.
In an op-ed published in the New York Times, he emphasized the need for action to address this pressing issue by implementing “a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms.”
“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 highlighted.
He also noted that “nearly half of adolescents say social media makes them feel worse about their bodies.”
Drawing on evidence from tobacco warnings, Murthy argued that the surgeon general’s warnings could increase awareness and potentially change behavior, particularly among parents who may not fully grasp the risks associated with excessive social media use by their children.
“When asked if a warning from the surgeon general would prompt them to limit or monitor their children’s social media use, 76 percent of people in one recent survey of Latino parents said yes,” Murthy pointed out.
However, the surgeon clarified that while warning labels are a step forward, they alone would not suffice to ensure the safety of young people on social media platforms.
He also stressed the necessity for congressional action to protect adolescents from online harassment, abuse, exploitation, and exposure to harmful content, which often appears in algorithm-driven feeds.
Additionally, he called for restrictions on social media platforms collecting sensitive data from children and limiting features like push notifications, autoplay, and infinite scroll, which he believes contribute to excessive use and negatively impact developing brains.
Despite bipartisan support for potential legislation, Murthy noted that no bill has yet been introduced to implement these proposed measures and warning labels.
Despite the challenges in preventing early access to social media due to its popularity among peers, Murthy encouraged parents across the United States to unite in safeguarding their children from potential harm.
Murthy cautioned that early access to social media platforms could heighten children’s susceptibility to insecurities and increase their vulnerability to bullying.
Copyright 2024, RightIsRight.co
