Opinion & Commentary
Warning
The U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms, similar to tobacco warnings. In an opinion piece in the The New York Times on June 17, 2024, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that social media is a contributing factor in a mental health crisis among young people. “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," he said. "A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.” What do you think? [Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash]