In June, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for social media to include a warning label about its negative health effects, similar to the warnings placed on cigarettes and tobacco products. Now, 42 attorneys general have drafted to Congress to express his support for Murthy's plan.
“This pervasive problem requires federal action, and a Surgeon General’s warning about social media platforms, while not sufficient to address the full magnitude of the problem, would be an important step toward mitigating the risk of harm to young people,” the group’s letter reads. “A warning would not only highlight the inherent risks that social media platforms currently pose to young people, but would also complement other efforts to spur attention, research, and investment in oversight of social media platforms.”
Nearly all state attorneys general signed the letter; the only ones who did not were Alaska, Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, and West Virginia. The attorneys general of American Samoa, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also signed.
The attorneys general cited the Children's Internet Safety Act and the Child and Teen Online Privacy Protection Act, which are in the Senate, as other important measures to protect young people's mental health. The measures took several attempts to reach a vote on the Senate floor, and it's unclear whether they have the support needed to pass the House.
