In response to increasing reports of social media's harmful effects on young Americans, the U.S. Surgeon General is advocating for warning labels on these platforms. Social psychologist and best-selling author Jonathan Haidt highlighted the issue, stating, "Everyone knows someone harmed by social media, everyone knows a girl who's cutting herself out of anxiety."
Haidt attributes the surge in mental health issues to the pervasive use of smartphones and handheld devices, a claim supported by numerous studies. Research indicates that adolescents who spend over three hours daily on social media experience heightened levels of anxiety and depression, with those exceeding five hours facing an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. According to a Gallup Poll, teens already spend an average of four to six hours online each day, prompting U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to call for urgent measures.
"A warning label would help parents understand these risks," Dr. Murthy stated. He suggested implementing tobacco-style warning labels, which would require congressional action. Dr. Murthy cited historical precedent: "When Congress mandated warning labels for tobacco over fifty years ago, smoking rates in America were above 40 percent. Today, it's under 12 percent. Labels were a crucial part of that progress."
In addition to warning labels, Dr. Murthy is urging Congress to protect children from harmful online content and the collection of sensitive data by companies. A pioneering law in Florida may set an example for other states. Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, who played a key role in updating the law, stated, "We know from law enforcement and prosecutors that social media is the primary platform in which children are trafficked."
The updated law in Florida aims to prevent children under 14 from using social media and to prohibit minors from accessing pornography. "These platforms are using addiction, not just for kids – but for adults too – to keep us online as long as possible," Renner added. "Other states are observing our actions and the national conversation is growing."
Dr. Haidt emphasized that social media has disrupted traditional social interactions among children, undermining historic social norms. "For the last 50 million years, mammals have had a play-based society. Young mammals must play a lot. But in the 90s, we took our children out of that and said, 'No more outside play, you have to be supervised all the time.' This loss of a play-based society has made them weaker and more fragile," Haidt explained.
Following the Surgeon General's call to action, social media stocks dipped on Monday. The nation now watches to see how tech giants like Meta, X, and TikTok will respond.