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The United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on Monday called on Congress to require social media platforms to carry labels advising parents that using the platform might affect adolescent’s mental health.
In an opinion piece in the New York times, Dr. Murthy said that social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people. Dr. Murthy asserts that warning labels, like those on alcohol and tobacco, will not make social media safe for young people, but that it can increase and change behavior.
However, the action proposed by Dr. Murthy needs approval by Congress.
“It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents”, said Dr. Murthy. “A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe. Evidence of tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.”
Dr. Murthy believes there should be federal regulations in place to protect adolescents from online harassment, abuse and exploitation. “The measures should prevent platforms from collecting sensitive data from children and should restrict the use of features like push notifications, autoplay and infinite scroll, which prey on developing brains and contribute to excessive use.”
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