A Warning Label for social media? The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S., is urging Congress to enact legislation for a tobacco-like warning on social media. It's a significant step in the right direction. I’m a supporter of it!
In a New York Times op-ed piece from Monday, Dr. Murthy says the state of declining youth mental health from prolonged social media use is an emergency — finally, a call to action!
“It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents,” Dr. Murthy writes. “A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.”
From my perspective, a warning label will help parents manage screen time with their children. Having more ways to talk about health impact, including from our country's highest-ranked physician, would be a good addition.
Dr. Murthy has reached out to me in the past to discuss social media and our youth and families, and I know he cares deeply about the stress parents feel trying to manage all of this in their homes.
I was thrilled to see that in Dr. Murthy’s New York Times Op-Ed, he brought up the need to put phones put away during the school day — something my team and I have been advocating for since 2017 with our Away for the Day campaign.
An incredibly important public health issue is the fact that time on social media deprives youth of things they need for development. They could use that time to explore interests, socialize in person, and sleep — all supporting mental well-being. Last week, a 15-year-old patient who is struggling with clinical anxiety told me she is on TikTok at least 3 hours a day and that it is making her feel worse about herself, but she finds it so hard to stop.
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Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
I recently interviewed Dr. Jonathan Haidt about the negative impact of social media on youth for a podcast (and for my upcoming K-5 version of our original Screenagers). In the podcast, he concurs with me about the plethora of evidence showing that increased social media use increases mental health problems in adolescents.
Listen Here: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Youtube / Website
We talked about how it is developmentally appropriate for youth to seek social acceptance. Social media throws a two-ton wrench into that developmental experience. Not only is there now constant comparison, but the amplified social aggression makes seeking social acceptance that much more of a minefield.
With so many voices in the choir singing about the dangers social media poses to our youth, I truly hope Congress heeds Dr. Murthy’s call for a warning label and starts enacting legislation. It’s a tumultuous time politically, but this issue has strong support on both sides of the aisle.
Dr. Murthy is not stopping at a warning label. He is demanding that legislation from Congress include language to “shield young people from online harassment, abuse and exploitation and from exposure to extreme violence and sexual content that too often appears in algorithm-driven feeds. The measures should prevent platforms from collecting sensitive data from children and should restrict the use of features like push notifications, autoplay and infinite scroll, which prey on developing brains and contribute to excessive use.”
He also demands that tech companies allow users access to “all of their data on health effects with independent scientists and the public — currently, they do not — and allow independent safety audits. While the platforms claim they are making their products safer, Americans need more than words. We need proof.”
It is such a relief to see Dr. Murthy pushing for this measure. The data is clear. Since the introduction of social media, youth mental health problems have increased. I am optimistic that Congress will indeed pass support Dr. Murthy’s request for a warning label.
Learn more about showing our movies in your school or community!
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
Learn more about our Screen-Free Sleep campaign at the website!
Our movie made for parents and educators of younger kids
Join Screenagers filmmaker Delaney Ruston MD for our latest Podcast
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A Warning Label for social media? The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S., is urging Congress to enact legislation for a tobacco-like warning on social media. It's a significant step in the right direction. I’m a supporter of it!
In a New York Times op-ed piece from Monday, Dr. Murthy says the state of declining youth mental health from prolonged social media use is an emergency — finally, a call to action!
“It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents,” Dr. Murthy writes. “A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.”
From my perspective, a warning label will help parents manage screen time with their children. Having more ways to talk about health impact, including from our country's highest-ranked physician, would be a good addition.
Dr. Murthy has reached out to me in the past to discuss social media and our youth and families, and I know he cares deeply about the stress parents feel trying to manage all of this in their homes.
I was thrilled to see that in Dr. Murthy’s New York Times Op-Ed, he brought up the need to put phones put away during the school day — something my team and I have been advocating for since 2017 with our Away for the Day campaign.
An incredibly important public health issue is the fact that time on social media deprives youth of things they need for development. They could use that time to explore interests, socialize in person, and sleep — all supporting mental well-being. Last week, a 15-year-old patient who is struggling with clinical anxiety told me she is on TikTok at least 3 hours a day and that it is making her feel worse about herself, but she finds it so hard to stop.
I recently interviewed Dr. Jonathan Haidt about the negative impact of social media on youth for a podcast (and for my upcoming K-5 version of our original Screenagers). In the podcast, he concurs with me about the plethora of evidence showing that increased social media use increases mental health problems in adolescents.
Listen Here: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Youtube / Website
We talked about how it is developmentally appropriate for youth to seek social acceptance. Social media throws a two-ton wrench into that developmental experience. Not only is there now constant comparison, but the amplified social aggression makes seeking social acceptance that much more of a minefield.
With so many voices in the choir singing about the dangers social media poses to our youth, I truly hope Congress heeds Dr. Murthy’s call for a warning label and starts enacting legislation. It’s a tumultuous time politically, but this issue has strong support on both sides of the aisle.
Dr. Murthy is not stopping at a warning label. He is demanding that legislation from Congress include language to “shield young people from online harassment, abuse and exploitation and from exposure to extreme violence and sexual content that too often appears in algorithm-driven feeds. The measures should prevent platforms from collecting sensitive data from children and should restrict the use of features like push notifications, autoplay and infinite scroll, which prey on developing brains and contribute to excessive use.”
He also demands that tech companies allow users access to “all of their data on health effects with independent scientists and the public — currently, they do not — and allow independent safety audits. While the platforms claim they are making their products safer, Americans need more than words. We need proof.”
It is such a relief to see Dr. Murthy pushing for this measure. The data is clear. Since the introduction of social media, youth mental health problems have increased. I am optimistic that Congress will indeed pass support Dr. Murthy’s request for a warning label.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel! With new ones added regularly, you'll find over 100 videos covering parenting advice, guidance, podcasts, movie clips and more. Here's our latest!
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A Warning Label for social media? The US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S., is urging Congress to enact legislation for a tobacco-like warning on social media. It's a significant step in the right direction. I’m a supporter of it!
In a New York Times op-ed piece from Monday, Dr. Murthy says the state of declining youth mental health from prolonged social media use is an emergency — finally, a call to action!
“It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents,” Dr. Murthy writes. “A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.”
From my perspective, a warning label will help parents manage screen time with their children. Having more ways to talk about health impact, including from our country's highest-ranked physician, would be a good addition.
Dr. Murthy has reached out to me in the past to discuss social media and our youth and families, and I know he cares deeply about the stress parents feel trying to manage all of this in their homes.
I was thrilled to see that in Dr. Murthy’s New York Times Op-Ed, he brought up the need to put phones put away during the school day — something my team and I have been advocating for since 2017 with our Away for the Day campaign.
An incredibly important public health issue is the fact that time on social media deprives youth of things they need for development. They could use that time to explore interests, socialize in person, and sleep — all supporting mental well-being. Last week, a 15-year-old patient who is struggling with clinical anxiety told me she is on TikTok at least 3 hours a day and that it is making her feel worse about herself, but she finds it so hard to stop.
It feels like we’re finally hitting a tipping point. The harms from social media in young people’s lives have been building for far too long, and bold solutions can’t wait any longer. That’s why what just happened in Australia is extremely exciting. Their new nationwide move marks one of the biggest attempts yet to protect kids online. And as we released a new podcast episode yesterday featuring a mother who lost her 14-year-old son after a tragic connection made through social media, I couldn’t help but think: this is exactly the kind of real-world action families have been desperate for. In today’s blog, I share five key things to understand about what Australia is doing because it’s big, it’s controversial, and it might just spark global change.
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I hear from so many parents who feel conflicted about their own phone habits when it comes to modeling healthy use for their kids. They’ll say, “I tell my kids to get off their screens, but then I’m on mine all the time.” Today I introduce two moms who are taking on my One Small Change Challenge and share how you can try it too.
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This week’s blog explores how influencers and social media promoting so-called “Healthy” ideals — from food rules to fitness fads — can quietly lead young people toward disordered eating. Featuring insights from Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a leading expert on eating disorders, we unpack how to spot harmful messages and start honest conversations with kids about wellness, body image, and what “healthy” really means.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
