Surgeon General Warnings on Social Media Demanded by 42 Attorneys General

Attorneys General Call for Federal Action

In a significant move that could potentially lead to more censorship, attorneys general from 42 states and U.S. territories are calling on Congress to require Surgeon General warnings on algorithm-driven social media platforms. This is in response to the escalating mental health crisis among the youth in America. The group, which includes representatives from 39 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, sent a letter on September 9 to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. They are advocating for immediate federal intervention to address the detrimental effects of social media on young individuals.

Surgeon General’s Call for Labels

This initiative follows U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s June call for such labels, which would serve as a reminder of the unproven safety of social media for the younger generation. Murthy drew parallels with the success of warning labels on products like tobacco in raising awareness and influencing behavior, suggesting that social media platforms could benefit similarly. The letter from the attorneys general stated, “Young people are experiencing a mental health crisis, largely fueled by social media." They referenced research that links social media use to increased instances of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among adolescents. The studies highlight how these platforms disrupt sleep, foster body dissatisfaction, and promote self-harm, thus making a strong case for increased oversight.

State-level Efforts and the Need for a Federal Approach

While some states have already taken measures to tackle the issue—for example, Tennessee’s Protecting Children from Social Media Act requires parental consent for minors to create social media accounts, and California’s law mandates platforms to assess and mitigate harms to children—the attorneys general argue that these state-level efforts are not enough. They are advocating for a unified federal approach to establish a consistent standard nationwide.

Lawsuits Against Meta and the Need for a Federal Mandate

The letter points out that 41 states and the District of Columbia have already filed lawsuits against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for allegedly promoting harmful levels of platform engagement among young users. Other states, such as Arkansas, Indiana, and Iowa, have initiated legal actions against TikTok for violating consumer protection laws. Despite these efforts, the attorneys general stress the need for a broader federal mandate for comprehensive protection.

Benefits of a Surgeon General Warning Label

Although the attorneys general acknowledge that a Surgeon General warning label won't solve the problem entirely, they believe it would be a crucial step in reducing risks to youth. They argue that the labels would raise public awareness, promote further research, and trigger additional regulatory oversight of social media companies.

Recent Legislative Actions

The letter also mentions recent legislative actions such as the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act as proof of Congress's readiness to address the issue.

Signatories of the Letter

The attorneys general who signed the letter represent a wide range of states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Michigan, New York, Texas, and Virginia, among others. However, some states, like Iowa and Nebraska, despite being cited as examples of states that have implemented policies to protect children from the harms of social media, did not sign the letter.

Urgent Need for Federal Action

The coalition concluded their plea by emphasizing the urgent need for federal action, reiterating the bipartisan nature of their concern for the mental well-being of America's youth.

Bottom Line

This call for Surgeon General warnings on social media platforms by 42 attorneys general underscores the growing concern about the impact of social media on the mental health of young people. While it's clear that more needs to be done to protect youth from potential harm, it's also important to consider the implications of censorship and the right to freedom of expression. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think these warnings are necessary, and will they be effective? Share this article with your friends and join the discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered to your inbox every day at 6pm.