Social media presents ‘profound risk of harm’ for kids, surgeon general says, calling attention to lack of research

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US Surgeon General says social media may be hazardous to teen health

Time

8 Social Media Tips for Parents and Teens from the U.S. Surgeon General

Social media is driving teen mental health crisis, surgeon general warns

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Social media may pose "profound risk" to teen mental health, Surgeon General says

Guardian

US surgeon general issues advisory on ‘profound’ risks of child social media use

U.S. surgeon general says social media can put young people in danger : NPR

Social media can put young people in danger, U.S. surgeon general warns

US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy has called on the Congress to urgently label social media apps — like cigarettes and alcohol —  due to their impact on children.

US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called on Congress to label social media platforms as it does with cigarettes and alcohol due to their adverse impact on adolescents.

Dr Murthy wrote in The New York Times Monday that social media "has emerged as an important contributor" to the mental health crisis among young people.

The New York Times

In an op-ed in The New York Times Monday, Murthy warned that "social media has emerged as an important contributor" to the mental health crisis among young Americans.

Dr Murthy said adding a "surgeon general’s warning label" requires congressional action. A similar move has reportedly caused tobacco smoking to decline since 1965.

He said adding a "surgeon general’s warning label" requires congressional action. A similar move has reportedly caused tobacco smoking to decline since 1965.

He said that adding a surgeon general's warning label would "remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe." A similar label has reportedly caused tobacco smoking to decline since 1965.

Dr Murthy clarified that a warning label alone wouldn't work and that it must be accompanied by action on the recommendations he had made in 2023.

Last year, Murthy had warned that social media could have a "profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children," conceding that there's not enough evidence to determine whether social media is "safe" for adolescents.

Verity

In his 2023 advisory, Dr Murthy has sought steps like calibrated social media behavior and more research by policymakers, parents, and their underaged children.

In his 2023 advisory, Dr Murthy had sought steps like calibrated social media behavior and more research by policymakers, parents, and their underaged children.

In his 2023 advisory, Murthy had called on legislators, parents, and minors to adopt safeguards that could reduce the potential risks to children and adolescents.

He had called on social media firms to make safety and privacy of users a priority in product designs. He also asked for the minimum age requirements to be enforced.

ABC News

He also advised social media firms to prioritize users' safety and privacy in product designs and asked for the minimum age requirements to be enforced.

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Despite social media platforms requiring users to be aged over 13 years, nearly 40% of those in the 8-12 age group and 95% aged 13-17 use social media in the US. Dr Murthy has warned that over three hours daily doubles the risk of depression and anxiety. Open communication between parents and their wards is key to tackling the epidemic, besides setting limits and monitoring usage. Children must be protected from its negative impact, including body-image issues, cyberbullying, online predators, and behaviora

Cleveland Clinic

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How Social Media Can Negatively Affect Your Child

Studies have shown that social media does not significantly impact teenagers' anxiety, stress, or depression. While negative effects like bullying and positive effects like meaningful connections exist, the overall impact is minimal. The focus ought to be on how social media is used rather than the amount of time spent. Children's mental health issues are more often related to socio-economic factors than social media use itself. Therefore, there is no need to evoke fear; instead, focus on guiding healthy so

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Social media has no significant impact on teenagers’ mental health generally, study suggests

There is a 50% chance that a currently unknown social media app will reach one billion downloads worldwide by July 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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New 1-Billion Downloads Social Media App

Leon Neal/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Image

US Top Surgeon Wants Social Media Warnings For Children

Mental health

Social issues

Children and youth

Despite social media platforms requiring users to be over 13 years old, nearly 40% in the 8-12 age group and 95% aged 13-17 use social media in the US. Open communication between parents and their wards is critical to tackling the epidemic, besides setting limits and monitoring usage. Children must be protected from its negative impact, including depression, cyberbullying, and behavioral changes.

There's no evidence that social media considerably impacts teenagers' mental health. While adverse effects like bullying and positive effects like meaningful connections exist, the overall influence is minimal. Children's mental health issues are more often related to socio-economic factors than social media use itself. The focus must be on how social media is used rather than the time spent.

There's a 50% chance that a currently unknown social media app will reach one billion downloads worldwide by July 17, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

US Surgeon General Calls for Warning Label on Social Media

US Top Surgeon WantsGeneral SocialCalls Mediafor WarningsWarning ForLabel Childrenon Social Media

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