The call for social media platforms to include health warnings specifically aimed at younger users has been made by the U.S. surgeon general, Vivek H. Murthy. In an op-ed published in The New York Times, he stated that it is time for these platforms to have a surgeon general’s warning label that acknowledges the significant mental health risks associated with adolescent use of social media.
Last year, Murthy’s office issued an advisory on the potential negative impacts of social media use on teenagers. In that advisory, he urged social media companies to prioritize safety and privacy in their product designs and enforce minimum age requirements more strictly.
This issue is still developing, and updates will be provided as they become available. ABC News’ Ahmad Hemingway, Dr. Amanda Kravitz, and Dr. Mariam Gomaa contributed to this report. Copyright © 2024 ABC News Internet Ventures.