A rare bipartisan consensus among 42 state attorneys general has led to a unified demand for Congress to require Surgeon General warning labels on social media apps. This initiative aims to combat the growing addiction and mental health crisis among young adults linked to excessive social media use. The move marks a significant step toward increasing public awareness of the potential dangers these platforms pose to young users.
The attorneys general have expressed serious concerns about the harmful effects of algorithm-driven social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. They argue that these apps threaten the safety and well-being of children and teens in their jurisdictions, creating an urgent need for federal action.
While several states have already pursued legal actions against social media giants, including Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok, they believe these efforts are not enough. The state officials are pushing for a comprehensive solution at the federal level to address the broader dangers posed by these platforms. A Surgeon General warning label, while not a complete fix, is seen as a crucial step in reducing the risk of harm to young users.
A Broader Call for Federal Action
The call for action echoes a growing body of evidence and concern raised by public health officials, most notably by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. In a June op-ed, Murthy drew stark comparisons between social media apps and harmful products like cigarettes, which are known to cause long-term damage. He highlighted the significant mental health risks linked to extended social media use, particularly for teenagers.
Murthy’s concerns are supported by a 2019 study from the American Medical Association, which found that teens who spend three or more hours a day on social media double their risk of developing depression. In today’s digital landscape, many teens spend close to five hours a day on these apps, making the risk even more pronounced.
This growing mental health crisis, according to Murthy, is leaving parents in a vulnerable position, often powerless to protect their children from the content and algorithms designed to keep them engaged for long periods. The attorneys general argue that more needs to be done at the federal level to help parents safeguard their children’s mental health.
Existing Legal Action and Congressional Approval
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has consistently been at the forefront of legal battles against social media companies, has already led lawsuits targeting Meta for its role in harming young adults’ mental health. In a 2023 lawsuit, New York and other states accused Meta of contributing to an escalating mental health crisis among teens and young adults.
Despite these legal actions, the attorneys general believe that additional steps are needed to fully address the issue. Appending Surgeon General warning labels to social media platforms is one of the solutions they are urging Congress to approve. However, this measure would require full Congressional approval, and as of now, no specific bill has been introduced to mandate such warnings on social media apps.
Senate Progress with the Kids Online Safety Act
Although Congress has yet to respond directly to the call for warning labels, the Senate made some progress with the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act. This legislation, which is supported by major tech companies like Microsoft, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Snap, would require social media platforms to take greater responsibility for protecting children from harmful online content. It also seeks to hold these companies accountable when their platforms cause harm to young users.
The attorneys general view this legislation as a positive development but emphasize that a Surgeon General warning label would enhance these efforts by directly informing users and parents about the risks associated with social media use. Such a warning could be a key element in the broader strategy to protect youth from the potentially harmful effects of these platforms.
As the mental health crisis among young people continues to grow, the demand for decisive action is gaining momentum. The attorneys general hope that by increasing awareness and adding clear warnings on social media apps, they can take a significant step toward reducing the impact of these platforms on the well-being of young users. Congress’s response will determine whether this proposal moves forward in the coming months.
