Surgeon General Calls for Health Warnings on Social Media for Young Users: Protecting Mental Health in the Digital Age

Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, is urging social media platforms to include health warnings for younger users in an op-ed published in The New York Times. In his call for a surgeon general’s warning label on these platforms, he highlighted the significant mental health risks associated with their use by adolescents.

Last year, Murthy’s office issued an advisory on the potential effects of social media on teenage users. He emphasized the need for social media companies to prioritize safety and privacy in their product designs and enforce minimum age requirements to protect young users.

The situation is still evolving, and updates may follow. ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway, Dr. Amanda Kravitz, and Dr. Mariam Gomaa have contributed to this report.