US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called on Congress to pass legislation requiring social media platforms to display warning labels similar to those found on tobacco products. This proposal aims to raise awareness and promote behavior change regarding the potential harmful effects of excessive social media use on adolescents' well-being. In an op-ed published in the New York Times, Murthy slammed social networks for emerging as an "important contributor" to the .
Social media has become an important contributor to our crisis. 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: 2/2— Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S.
Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) He cited alarming statistics, such as adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media facing double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. Murthy emphasized the detrimental impact of social media on body image, stating that "nearly half of adolescents say social media makes them feel worse about their bodies." He believes that implementing surgeon general's warning labels on social media platforms could increase awareness and promote positive behavioral changes, similar to the impact of such labels on tobacco products.
ALSO SEE: "Evidence from tobacco labels shows that surgeon general's warnings can increase awareness and change behavior," Murthy wrote, highlighting the potential effectiveness of this app.
