The U.S. Surgeon General has asked Congress to adopt social media warning labels. 

Dr. Vivek Murthy stated in an article that social media contributes to youth mental health issues hence he proposes social media platforms to display warning labels like those in tobacco products, AP News reported.

Dr. Murthy wrote in The New York Times on Monday that it is about time to implement such measures as social media has been linked to mental health problems for young individuals. The official believes that social media warning labels "would routinely warn parents and teens that social networking is unsafe," referencing tobacco research demonstrating warning labels may raise awareness and affect behavior.

The expert acknowledged that a warning label alone would not make social media safe for children, but it was important. Up to 95% of 13-to-17-year-olds use social media, and more than a third use it "almost constantly," according to 2022 Pew Research Center research.

Moreover, Murthy asked US Congress to pass laws safeguarding youth from internet harassment, abuse, exploitation, extreme violence, and sexual material. He suggested that firms disclose their health impacts to impartial experts and the public, as well as undergo safety checks.

The US Surgeon General also advised schools and parents to offer phone-free hours, as well as healthcare experts to advise families on safer practices.

While Dr. Murthy advocates for tighter US rules, the EU has passed the Digital Services Act (DSA) to protect consumers online and stop illicit material. For violating DSA laws, tech corporations face fines of up to 6% of worldwide turnover or face bans from the EU.

Kids Are Not Safe in Social Media

Several studies have connected extended usage of social media sites like Facebook to depression, anxiety, and stress. Adolescence is a key time of social and emotional maturation. However, family troubles, bullying, and social isolation pose risks during this period, per a study published in the National Library of Medicine.

Social networking sites attract teens because they let them post photographs and videos. These platforms enable friendships, idea sharing, interest discovery, and self-expression. Users may freely like, comment, and share posts, creating a dynamic online environment.

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But social media has also become a place for unacceptable behavior. Teens publish offensive comments and troll for fun without considering the implications. Trolling attacks body image, skills, language, and lifestyle, among other elements. Such conduct can cause anxiety, sadness, stress, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts.

A report from Yale Medicine noted that U.S. Surgeon General Murthy found that teens may quickly access extreme and hazardous information on social media. He links suicide and self-harm to "cutting," partial asphyxiation, and risk-taking issues. Moreover, research suggests that discussing or displaying such topics might normalize teenage behavior.

Eating problems are another major issue. A PLOS Global Public Health study of 50 studies in 17 countries from 2016 to 2021 found that persistent exposure to unreachable physical standards online can cause eating disorders and a distorted self-image. The condition is more widespread among girls, as per the research.

Social Media Firms Take Action

Due to parental worries about child safety, Meta, TikTok, X, and other social media CEOs appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January. To protect children, executives highlighted safety tools and nonprofit law enforcement partnerships.

Meta, Snapchat, Discord, and TikTok provide parental control. These programs allow parents to link their accounts to their teenagers to track usage and give them some online control. Instagram and TikTok provide minors with "take a break" reminders and screen usage limitations. They also modified their algorithms to prevent minors from self-harming and eating problem media, per CNN. 

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