One of America’s most senior health authorities has urged the country to implement smoking-style warning labels on social networking platforms.
Dr Vivek Murthy wrote in a Monday opinion piece for The New York Times that social media is adding to the mental health problem among young people.
He wants visitors to these sites to see a statement warning that they are “associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents”.
“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.
“A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe,” Murthy said.
“Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behaviour.”
Adding a warning label to the platforms would require congressional approval, and it is unclear what shape the label would take on a digital product.
Last year, the Surgeon General released a 19-page advisory on the mental health implications of social media.
A 2023 poll of more than 1,400 adolescents found that 46% indicated they used the internet “almost constantly” – about doubling the rate observed in 2015.
Newsng gathered that the potential negative consequences of utilizing social media included an increased risk of developing sadness or anxiety.
Some studies have found that adolescent girls are more likely to experience unfavourable health consequences such as disordered eating and poor sleep.
In the piece, he also advocated for a ban on phone use in schools and advised parents to prevent children from using smartphones during meals and bedtime.
We earlier reported that US lawmakers query Microsoft president, Brad Smith over China ties, and multiple breaches.
