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

US Attorneys General Advocate for Social Media Warning Labels

A coalition of forty-two attorneys general across the United States has voiced their support for the introduction of warning labels on social media platforms, drawing a parallel to the health warnings typically seen on cigarette packaging. In an open letter directed to federal lawmakers, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) expressed that these warning labels could play a pivotal role in addressing the escalating mental health crisis attributed, in part, to social media applications.

The letter emphasizes, “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 sentiment echoes a call made by Dr. Vivek Murthy, the United States Surgeon General, who, in June, advocated for the inclusion of a warning label on social media platforms. In an opinion piece published in the New York Times, Dr. Murthy argued that such a warning would serve as a reminder to both parents and adolescents that “social media has not been proved safe.”

A 2019 study published in JAMA Psychiatry, which surveyed 6,500 American teenagers, revealed that those who spend more than three hours per day on social media are at a significantly higher risk of encountering mental health issues compared to their peers. Further underscoring this concern, a 2023 Gallup poll indicated that US teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours daily engaged with social media.

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In the United States, attorneys general serve as the chief legal officers of their states, providing counsel on various legislative matters and representing the state in legal proceedings. In 2023, the NAAG, alongside the New York Attorney General, initiated a federal lawsuit against Meta Platforms, alleging that the company has contributed to young people’s mental health decline. According to a press release, the lawsuit claims that Meta “designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms that … addict children and teens.”

The open letter further asserts that while warning labels on social media platforms are a critical step, they are not a standalone solution. Instead, they would serve to “complement” a broader framework of actions aimed at enhancing oversight of these platforms. This past summer, the US Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act, which mandates that tech companies take measures to protect children from online dangers.