Dr. Vivek Murthy has proposed that social media platforms should have warning labels similar to those found on cigarette packs in order to inform users about the mental health risks associated with their use. In an op-ed for The New York Times, Murthy expressed concern that social media is contributing to a mental-health crisis among young people, leading to increased anxiety, depression symptoms, and negative body image issues.
Murthy believes that a warning label is necessary to raise awareness about the potential harms of social media use and has issued an advisory last year calling for policy changes to address the issue. The American Psychological Association (APA) has also raised concerns about the potential harms of social media on young people and recommends that technology companies take steps to reduce these risks.
One of the ways in which the APA recommends reducing these risks is by limiting data collection from minors and restricting certain features that can negatively impact mental health. Murthy proposed legislation that would safeguard young people from online abuse, limit data collection from minors, and restrict certain features that can negatively impact mental health. He emphasizes that addressing these issues should be a priority rather than just labeling social media platforms.
In addition to these policy changes, Murthy also calls for greater transparency from social media companies, urging them to share their data on health effects with independent scientists and the public. He advises parents to delay allowing their children access to social media until after middle school and argues that society’s success should be measured by how well it protects its children. By acknowledging the potential harms of social media and taking action to mitigate risks, Murthy hopes to address the mental health crisis facing young people in the digital age.
