In a bold move to address the growing mental health crisis among teenagers, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called for warning labels on social media platforms. In a guest essay for The New York Times, Murthy highlighted the urgent need for such measures, likening the potential impact to that of warning labels on cigarettes and alcohol.

Murthy’s proposal comes amidst increasing scrutiny of social media’s effects on children and teens. He argues that the danger posed by social media is as extreme and widespread as those from unsafe cars, planes, or food, yet have not been adequately addressed due to a lack of safety measures, transparency, and accountability in the tech industry.

The release of the iPhone in 2007 marked a significant turning point, with reports of suicidal behavior and despair among adolescents rising sharply since then. Although some experts dispute this direct correlation, pointing to factors like economic hardship, the concern remains significant.

Murthy emphasized the need for congressional approval for such a label, advocating for legislative measures to protect young people from online harassment, abuse, and exploitation. He also recommended restricting platforms from collecting children’s sensitive data and curbing features like push notifications and autoplay, which encourage excessive use.

This call to action is part of a broader effort to regulate social media globally. In the U.S., states have sued companies like Meta over addictive features, and some have passed laws to shield young people from the negative effects of social media. In the European Union, regulations require social media users to be at least 16 to have their personal data processed without parental consent.

Despite tech companies’ claims of working to protect teens, Murthy’s appeal underscores that current efforts are insufficient. As Emma Lembke, a teenager, shared with NPR, social media significantly impacted her interactions with friends, highlighting the personal toll.

Clinical psychologist Lisa Damour notes that excessive social media use interferes with activities essential for teens’ growth, like sleep, physical activity, and face-to-face interactions. Murthy’s guidance includes keeping children off social media until they develop critical thinking skills, advocating for strategies like delayed social media profiles, using text messages as an intermediary, and maintaining “phone-free zones” around bedtime and meals.

Murthy’s proposal represents a crucial step towards addressing the youth mental health crisis, aiming to create a safer digital environment for the next generation.