SURGEON GENERAL CALLS FOR WARNING LABELS ON SOCIAL MEDIA SITES

Matt Case - June 18th, 2024 - 7:28am PDT 

Surgeon General Advocates for Warning Labels on Social Media Platforms

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Surgeon General has turned his attention to a new potential health risk: social media. Following historical campaigns against cigarettes and alcohol, the Surgeon General is now pushing for warning labels on social media platforms like Instagram to inform parents of the possible dangers these sites pose to their children's mental health.

Citing recent studies, the Surgeon General highlighted that children who spend more than three hours a day on social media are nearly 50% more likely to develop mental health issues compared to their peers who spend less time online.

"This is an urgent matter for public health," he stated. "Parents need to be aware of the risks these platforms present to their children’s well-being."

However, implementing such warning labels would require congressional action, and no relevant legislation has been introduced to date. The Surgeon General's proposal is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the mental health impact of social media use among young people.