Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Pushes For Warning Labels On Social Media, Urges ‘Phone-Free Environments’ For Kids

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is pushing for warning labels on social media to inform adolescents of its adverse effects. In an op-ed published in The New York Times, Murthy compared the labels on social media to those on tobacco products, citing an increase in user awareness.

“A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe,” Murthy wrote.

Social media has been the topic of a long-term debate over its effects on young children. With increased technology and the presence of adolescents online, parents raise concerns over their children’s screen time. Social media platforms have also been questioned about the type of content being pushed out regarding censorship and age-appropriate media.

Murthy stated that a warning label alone would not protect children from social media. The surgeon general has advocated for Congress to push legislation that would “shield young people from online harassment, abuse and exploitation and exposure to extreme violence and sexual content.”

Murthy added that schools play a role in ensuring children have time away from their phones, encouraging a “phone-free” environment. 

“Parents, too, should create phone-free zones around bedtime, meals and social gatherings to safeguard their kids’ sleep and real-time connections,” Murthy said. “Both of which have direct effects on mental health. And they should wait until after middle school to allow their kids access to social media.”

In 2015, Murthy stated that the positive medicinal properties of marijuana should be taken into consideration. The surgeon general said it “can be helpful” for treating certain conditions and symptoms.