A coalition of attorneys general from 42 states is urging Congress to require warnings on social media platforms. In a letter sent Tuesday to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the attorneys general expressed support for a recent recommendation by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
The impact of social media on young people
The attorneys general wrote that social media's addictive nature is harming young users. Features such as infinite scrolling, persistent notifications, and personalized content are causing chronic sleep problems. These factors also lead to excessive screen time for adolescents, worsening their mental health. Leading studies cited in the letter show that social media use is associated with increased levels of depression and anxiety among adolescents.
“Social media companies exploit children's psychological vulnerabilities through addictive and manipulative product design,” the attorneys general wrote. They emphasized that while these platforms often claim to prioritize user safety, in reality they foster engagement with features that harm young people.
Legal and legislative efforts to combat the crisis
The letter noted that several states have already filed lawsuits against major social media companies, including Meta and TikTok. Last year, a coalition of 45 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Meta. The plaintiffs accused the company of prioritizing Instagram safety and user engagement, especially for younger users. Additionally, states including Arkansas, Indiana and Utah have filed lawsuits against TikTok for violating consumer protection laws.
Despite these actions at the state level, the attorneys general argue that the issue requires federal intervention. The signatories urge congressional leaders to continue researching innovative solutions to protect children's well-being in the digital age, writing:
This universal problem requires a federal response. While the Surgeon General's warning about social media platforms falls short of addressing the full extent of the problem, it would be an important step toward reducing the risk of harm to young people. The warning not only highlights the unique risks that social media platforms currently pose to young people, but it also complements other efforts to draw attention, research, and investment into the monitoring of social media platforms.
State-level Legislation
The Attorney General also cited state laws enacted to address the harmful effects of social media on youth. New York's “Stopping Addictive Feed Exploitation for Children Act (SAFE Act)” and California's “Age Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA)” are some of the legislative measures enacted to limit social media features that are addictive to children. In addition, Tennessee has enacted the “Protecting Children from Social Media Act,” which requires parental consent for minors to create social media accounts.
Social media companies have strongly resisted these laws, often filing lawsuits to block them. The letter said a coordinated national response is essential to address the issue, highlighting the need for federal legislation.
Local legislation has drawn opposition from free speech advocates, who argue such restrictions could infringe on constitutional rights. They argue the government is acting too hastily and imposing restrictions without fully considering the potential benefits of social media for young people. Some of these groups have criticized the social media warning label proposals as unnecessary or premature.
Bipartisan Momentum in Congress
The attorneys general praised recent bipartisan efforts in Congress, particularly the passage of the Child Online Safety Act and the Children's and Youth Online Privacy Protection Act, which appear to signal growing agreement among lawmakers about the need to protect children from the harmful effects of social media.
The letter concludes with a strong call for Congressional action:
Social media platforms have demonstrated an unwillingness to solve the problem on their own, which is why we call on Congress to take action to require algorithm-driven social media platforms to provide warnings.
The group of attorneys general committed to continuing to work with Congress.
Murti's Call
In June, Dr. Vivek Murthy called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms. In an opinion piece published in The New York Times, Dr. Murthy compared the mental health risks associated with social media use to the dangers of tobacco. He suggested social media platforms should have warning labels like those found on cigarette packs. These labels would alert users, especially young people, to potential mental health risks. Dr. Murthy said the aim is to raise awareness of the dangers associated with excessive social media use.
Last May, Murthy published recommendations that highlighted the increasing risks that social media poses to the mental health of children and young people, and called on policymakers, tech companies, families and young people to take urgent action to create a safer digital environment.
Critics
Several free speech groups have expressed concern about regulations that limit or slap warning labels on children's access to social media. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) argues that such regulations could violate First Amendment rights. FIRE argues that government efforts to regulate or restrict social media could set a dangerous precedent for free expression. They stress that while protecting youth is important, regulations should not undermine free speech principles, which includes the editorial discretion of social media platforms.
In addition to FIRE, technology industry groups such as NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) also oppose these regulations. They argue that the proposed laws could lead to unconstitutional censorship by taking the government too far into private companies' content moderation practices. However, it is notable that social media giants such as Meta and X (formerly Twitter) have strong ties to the military and intelligence agencies, which appear to have influenced the growth of these platforms. As reported by The New American, the latter is actively involved in censorship on behalf of the government.
The real solution
There's no denying that social media is contributing to the youth mental health crisis, but the solution isn't more government regulation. Warning labels and tougher laws can raise awareness, but real change starts at home. Families play a vital role in establishing balanced digital habits and encouraging meaningful offline activities.
Ultimately, instead of relying on regulation, the focus should be on strengthening family connections and encouraging engagement in the real world. This approach offers a more lasting solution, empowering children to navigate the digital world responsibly, without sacrificing their well-being or freedom.
