06/17/2024

Surgeon General Calls for Social Media Warning Labels

Heavy social media use may pose mental health risks to kids and teens

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said Monday he will push a requirement for warning labels on social media platforms to combat a mental health emergency among children and teens.

In a New York Times opinion essay, Murthy said he will work with Congress to enact legislation requiring that social media platforms include a surgeon general’s warning to "regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe." He cited evidence from tobacco studies showing that warning labels can change behavior.

He said the warning labels should be just one part of a broader set of stepped-up rules to track and limit social media’s effect on consumers — all of which would require the help of Congress.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.