Attorneys General Advocate for Warning Labels on Social Media to Protect Youth Mental Health

Support for Warning Labels on Social Media Platforms

In a significant move, forty-two U.S. attorneys general have expressed their backing for the introduction of warning labels on social media platforms, akin to those found on cigarette packaging. In an open letter directed at U.S. lawmakers, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) articulated that these warning labels could play a crucial role in addressing the escalating mental health crisis, which is partially attributed to the pervasive use of social media applications.

The letter states, “All of us share an abiding concern for the safety of the kids in our jurisdictions—and algorithm-driven social media platforms threaten that safety.” This statement underscores a growing consensus among legal officials regarding the impact of social media on youth well-being. The letter aligns with a call made by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in June, advocating for the implementation of such warning labels. In a compelling opinion piece published in the New York Times, Murthy argued that a surgeon general’s warning would serve as a vital reminder for parents and adolescents alike that the safety of social media is not yet established.

A study conducted in 2019, which involved 6,500 U.S. teenagers and was published in JAMA Psychiatry, revealed alarming findings: those who spent over three hours daily on social media were at a heightened risk for experiencing mental health issues compared to their peers. Furthermore, a 2023 Gallup poll highlighted that American teens are spending an average of 4.8 hours per day on social media platforms, raising significant concerns about the long-term effects on their mental health.

Related

• Girls have worse mental health than boys in Europe, according to WHO.
• Just eight minutes of pro-anorexia content on TikTok can negatively impact body image, according to a recent study.

In the United States, attorneys general serve as chief legal officers who advise state governments on a variety of legislative matters and represent the state in court. In a notable development earlier this year, the NAAG, alongside the New York Attorney General, took legal action by filing a federal lawsuit against Meta, alleging that the company has contributed to the deterioration of young people’s mental health. This lawsuit accuses Meta of having “designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms that … addict children and teens.”

The open letter emphasizes that while the proposed warning labels on social media platforms are a step in the right direction, they are insufficient on their own. It calls for these labels to “complement” additional measures aimed at enhancing oversight and regulation of social media. Notably, the U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act this summer, which mandates technology companies to take proactive steps to safeguard children from online dangers.