The U.S. government is advocating for health warnings similar to those found on tobacco products to be displayed on social media platforms targeting adolescents. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy emphasized the significant role of social media in exacerbating a widespread mental health crisis among young people in an essay published in The New York Times.
Murthy proposed the implementation of a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, explicitly stating the association between social media usage and detrimental mental health effects on adolescents. According to Murthy, spending more than three hours daily on social media doubles the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms among adolescents, with the average daily usage during the summer of 2023 reaching nearly five hours.
Highlighting the need for congressional action, Murthy argued that a surgeon general’s warning label would serve as a regular reminder for parents and adolescents regarding the unproven safety of social media. Drawing parallels with tobacco studies, Murthy suggested that warning labels can enhance awareness and prompt behavioral changes.
Drawing parallels with legislative actions addressing vehicle-related fatalities, such as seat belt mandates and safety testing, Murthy underscored the necessity of taking proactive measures to address the health impacts of social media. He referenced the introduction of health warnings on U.S. cigarettes following a federal mandate in 1965 as a precedent.
In 2023, Murthy issued a health advisory cautioning that social media poses a “profound risk” to children, recommending that joining apps before the age of 13 is inappropriate. Furthermore, he urged schools nationwide to implement phone-free policies during classroom learning and social activities.
Murthy also advised parents to delay granting their children access to social media until after middle school and advocated for the creation of “phone-free zones” during bedtime, meals, and social gatherings to foster healthier technology habits among adolescents.
