U.S. Surgeon General Calls for Social Media Warnings Targeted at Younger Users: Is It Time for a Surgeon General’s Warning Label?

In an op-ed published in The New York Times, Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, called for social media platforms to include health warnings specifically aimed at younger users. He argued that it is time for these platforms to have a surgeon general’s warning label that acknowledges the significant mental health risks associated with adolescent use of social media.

Murthy’s office issued an advisory last year on the potential negative impacts of social media use on teenagers. In this advisory, he urged social media companies to prioritize safety and privacy in their product designs and enforce minimum age requirements more strictly. Despite these recommendations, the issue remains developing, and updates will be provided as they become available.

ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway, Dr. Amanda Kravitz, and Dr. Mariam Gomaa contributed to this report. Copyright © 2024 ABC News Internet Ventures.