On Monday, the U.S. Surgeon General urged social media platforms to incorporate health warnings for their younger users.
Vivek H. Murthy, in his op-ed published in The New York Times, highlighted a crucial lesson he learned during his time in medical school. He emphasized the significance of making quick decisions in emergencies, utilizing the available information and one’s best judgment. The article further delves into the mental health crisis among young people, describing it as an emergency. Vivek H. Murthy also emphasizes the role of social media in contributing to this crisis.
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Congress should mandate a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, alerting users that social media has significant mental health risks for teenagers. This call to action was made by an author who emphasized the need for such a label to help mitigate the negative effects of social media on adolescent mental health.
Murthy gave an example of the success of surgeon general’s warning labels on cigarette packs, which Congress made mandatory in the 1960s. He highlighted that this action could serve as a precedent for regulating social media use amongst children.
In his op-ed, he highlighted the significance of warning labels in tobacco studies and how they can effectively raise awareness and modify behavior. He also pointed out other industries where Congress has mandated safety measures, such as seatbelts, airbags, crash testing, and food recalls, to support his argument.
As a father of two, Murthy questioned why we have not been able to address the negative impacts of social media, which are just as urgent and widespread as those of unsafe cars, planes, or food. He explained that the harm caused by social media is not a result of inadequate parenting or willpower but rather the consequence of introducing powerful technology without implementing sufficient safety measures, transparency, or accountability.
Last year, Murthy’s office released an advisory regarding the impact of social media on teenagers. In the advisory, he urged social media companies to prioritize safety and privacy in their product designs, as well as enforcing minimum age requirements.
Murthy emphasized the need for multiple measures to safeguard children and proposed that a surgeon general’s warning be mandated on social media platforms. He further urged Congress to pass laws that would protect young people from online exploitation and abuse. Additionally, he urged social media companies to share data on the health effects of their products and to allow for independent safety audits.
According to Murthy, it is not only up to individuals to make a difference, but society as a whole also has a crucial role to play.
In his writing, he emphasized the importance of schools in making sure that classroom learning and social interactions are free from phone use. He also suggested that parents should create phone-free zones during meals, bedtime, and social gatherings to ensure that their children’s sleep and real-life connections are not affected. It is advisable for parents to wait until their children reach middle school before allowing them access to social media. Although this may be challenging, he recommended that parents work together with other families to establish shared rules, so they don’t have to struggle alone or feel guilty when their teens complain about limitations.
A White House spokesperson has emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing the mental health crisis in the United States, in response to the surgeon general’s call for a warning label on social media. The spokesperson urged Congress to take action and hold social media platforms accountable.
According to an official, the Surgeon General’s recent announcement serves as a reminder for both parents and children about the potential dangers associated with social media use. While not directly endorsing the labeling proposal, the President is committed to addressing the mental health crisis and urges Congress to take action and hold social media platforms accountable. The official expressed support for the board’s decision to take action on this important issue.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. Surgeon General, has expressed his opinion that the minimum age of 13 for social media usage is too early for children. He has observed that this age is a critical period for kids to develop their sense of self and identity, and therefore, he believes it is not appropriate for them to be using social media at such a young age. Most social media platforms currently have a minimum age requirement of 13 years old.
Senators Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, and Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, have been working tirelessly for more than a year to advance the Kids Online Safety Act. They expressed their satisfaction with the surgeon general’s proposal for a warning label on social media.
In a statement, the senators expressed their satisfaction that the Surgeon General, who is the highest-ranking medical officer in the US, is drawing attention to the harmful effects that social media has on young people.
The Senate’s Kids Online Safety Act has garnered massive support with 62 co-sponsors, making it highly likely to surpass the required 60-vote threshold to pass the bill into law. Though Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has voiced his backing for the legislation, he has yet to bring it before the Senate for a vote.
According to last year’s advisory issued by Murthy, teenagers use social media for an average of 3.5 hours daily, with some spending over seven hours a day on these platforms.
According to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry, spending more than three hours per day on social media can have a negative impact on the mental health of kids aged 12 to 15. The study revealed that such children are twice as likely to experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Research has indicated that limiting social media usage can have a positive impact on young individuals who are already struggling with depression. In fact, various studies have shown that reducing the amount of time spent on social media can aid in alleviating depression scores.
According to psychologists, the development of the adolescent brain begins at the age of 10 and lasts until early adulthood.
Last year, the American Psychological Association released groundbreaking advice for teenagers and social media. The guidance warned against the use of “like” buttons and artificial intelligence that could encourage endless scrolling, as these features may pose a danger to developing brains. To mitigate the risks, the APA recommends that users restrict their social media usage on such platforms by adjusting their phone settings.
The APA not only suggests setting limits but also emphasizes the importance of continuous conversations about social media usage and active supervision, particularly during early adolescence. It’s highly recommended that parents lead by example and demonstrate healthy social media habits, such as taking breaks from social media as a family.
According to the APA, it’s crucial to monitor children for problematic social media use. This includes interference with normal routines, prioritizing social media over in-person interactions, lack of physical activity, strong urges to check social media, and even lying to spend more time online. In such cases, seeking help from a mental health provider might be beneficial.
