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In a powerful op-ed for The New York Times, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for Congress to mandate tobacco-style warning labels on social media platforms. Dr. Murthy highlighted the urgent mental health crisis among young people and identified social media as a significant contributor.
Dr. Murthy’s proposed warning would inform users about the potential mental health risks associated with social media use. He wrote, “A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe.”
The call for such labels is reminiscent of the 1965 mandate for cigarette warnings, following Surgeon General Luther L. Terry’s report linking smoking to serious health issues. Dr. Murthy believes that similar warnings on social media could raise awareness and potentially alter user behavior, although he acknowledges that a label alone is not a complete solution.
In his op-ed, Dr. Murthy connected excessive social media use with increased anxiety and depression among children. The American Psychological Association reports that teenagers spend nearly five hours daily on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. A 2019 study by the association found a 47% increase in suicidal thoughts and related outcomes among young adults from 2008 to 2017, coinciding with the rise in social media use.
The pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with virtual isolation intensifying the negative impact of social media. Early in 2021, Dr. Murthy urged social media companies to actively promote the mental health and well-being of children.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to parents who blamed Instagram for contributing to their children’s mental health struggles and suicides, saying, “I’m sorry for everything you’ve all gone through. It’s terrible. No one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered.”
Dr. Murthy’s 2023 public health advisory on social media’s mental health impacts cited research on exposure to harmful content, including violence, bullying, and body shaming. He emphasized that social media often fails to provide the benefits of face-to-face interactions, noting, “For too many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends.”
Despite the significant correlations between social media use and negative mental health effects, Dr. Murthy has called for more research to understand the full impact. He also recognized that social media can offer teenagers a sense of community, connection, and self-expression.
As of Monday, social media companies had not yet responded to Dr. Murthy’s op-ed.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. For additional support, visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, visit The National Eating Disorders Association’s website.
