US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called for warning labels on social media to fight the “mental health crisis” in a similar fashion to the warning on tobacco products.
Largely based around mental health concerns with adolescents, the US Surgeon General says social media has a massive impact on nearly all of its users.
“Additionally, nearly half of adolescents say social media makes them feel worse about their bodies.”
Social media has become an important contributor to our#YouthMentalHealthcrisis. We are in the middle of an emergency, and it’s essential that Congress act with speed and urgency. The health and well-being of our kids is at stake. Read more:https://t.co/AR0VOfcjoF2/2
Tobacco products featureseveral different warningsfrom the surgeon general, including “Quitting Smoking Now Greatly Reduces Serious Risks to Your Health” and “Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, and May Complicate Pregnancy.”
Murthy did a few tests to see how effective the tobacco labels are, and found that the surgeon general’s warnings can “increase awareness and change behavior.”
He wrote: “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.”
Vivek is calling on the US Congress to authorize warnings on social media, as he’ll need their approval before anything can be added.
Related:
The US Surgeon General isn’t the only member of the government looking to make social media better for children. Back in March, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed a billbanning kids under 14-years-oldfrom accessing social media in the state, and will force platforms to delete their accounts if they exist.
Dylan Horetski is a Senior Writer on Dexerto’s US team. He is an expert Entertainment reporter, covering Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, Tech, and viral news. He also has bylines at IGN. You can contact him at: dylan.horetski@dexerto.com
