Surgeon General Vivek Murthy calls for action to ensure social media environments are healthy and safe as the national youth mental health crisis continues, as previously recommended
Today, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new report. Surgeon General’s recommendations on social media and young people’s mental health. While social media may have some benefits, there are many signs that it can also pose a risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. The use of social media by young people is nearly universal, with up to 95% of young people aged 13-17 reporting using social media platforms, and over a third using social media as “ They answered that they use it “almost always.”
Because adolescence and early childhood are critical stages in brain development, and young people may be more vulnerable to harm from social media, the Surgeon General will encourage policy makers, technology companies, and researchers to , families and young people alike, are calling on them to take urgent action. Gain a deeper understanding of the full impact of social media use to create a safer and healthier online environment that maximizes the benefits, minimizes the harm, and protects our children from social media platforms. The Surgeon General’s recommendations are part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) continued efforts to support President Joe Biden’s government-wide strategy to transform mental health care for all Americans.
“The most common question parents ask me is, ‘Is social media safe for children?’ The answer is that there is not enough evidence to say it is safe, and in fact, social media use is There is growing evidence that it is associated with harm to the mental health of young people.” Said Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General. “Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, from violent and sexual content to bullying and harassment. Valuable face-to-face time with family and friends is being undermined. We are in the midst of a national youth mental health crisis, and social media is not a key factor in that crisis. We are concerned about this and must address it urgently.”
Social media use can be harmful depending on the amount of time children spend on the platform, the type of content they consume or come into contact with, and the extent to which it interferes with activities essential to health, such as sleep and physical activity. Importantly, each child is affected differently by social media in a variety of ways, including those based on cultural, historical, and socio-economic factors. As for the benefits, adolescents say social media makes them feel accepted (58%), feels like there is someone to support them during difficult times (67%), and allows them to show their creative side. They report feeling like they have a place (71%). and more related to what’s going on in their friends’ lives (80%).
However, social media use can be excessive and problematic for some children. According to a recent study, adolescents who use social media for more than three hours a day are at twice the risk of experiencing poor mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. However, a 2021 survey of teenagers found that they spend an average of 3.5 hours a day on social media. Social media can also perpetuate body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behaviors, social comparisons, and low self-esteem, especially among adolescent girls. More than a third of girls aged 11 to 15 feel “addicted” to a particular social media platform, and more than half of teenagers say it’s difficult to quit social media. . When asked about the impact of social media on their body image, 46% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 said social media made them feel worse, 40% said it neither made them feel better nor worse, and 46% said social media made them feel worse. Only 14% said it would improve. Better. Additionally, 64% of adolescents are “often” or “sometimes” exposed to hate-based content through social media. Studies have also shown a link between social media use and poor sleep quality, decreased sleep duration, difficulty sleeping, and depression in young people.
While more research is needed to fully determine the impact social media use has on nearly every teenager nationwide, children and adolescents cannot afford to wait years until the full extent of social media’s impact is known. there is no. The Surgeon General’s recommendations provide recommendations that stakeholders can take to ensure that children and their families have the information and tools they need to make social media safer for children. It offers.
- What policymakers can do Measures that strengthen safety standards and limit access in ways that make social media safer for children of all ages, better protect children’s privacy, support digital and media literacy, and fund additional research. Take the following steps.
- What technology companies can do Better and more transparently assess the effects of products on children, share data with independent researchers to improve our collective understanding of impacts, and improve safety and security, including protecting children’s privacy and adhering to minimum ages. Make design and development decisions that prioritize health. Improve systems to ensure effective and timely response to complaints.
- Parents and caregivers are Make plans in your home, such as establishing technology-free zones that foster more interpersonal relationships, teach your children about and model responsible online behavior, and remove problematic content and activities. such as reporting.
- Children and adolescents are Limit your time on the platform, block unwanted content, be careful about sharing personal information, and contact us if you or a friend need help or see harassment or abuse on the platform. Adopt healthy practices.
- Researchers can: Further prioritize social media and youth mental health research that can support the establishment of standards and evaluation of best practices to support child health.
In response to the Surgeon General’s recommendations, leaders of the country’s six health care organizations expressed concern about the impact of social media on the mental health of young people.
“Social media is a powerful tool for connecting, but it can also increase feelings of depression and anxiety.” – Especially among adolescents. GPs are often the first point of contact for parents and families concerned about the physical and mental health of young people, and we face a youth mental health crisis every day. The American Academy of Family Physicians commends the Surgeon General for identifying this risk for America’s youth and is working with colleagues across the medical community to provide young people and their families with the necessary support to lead healthy, balanced lives. Provide resources. ” – Tochi Irok Maryse, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAFP, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians
“Today’s children and teens do not know a world without digital technology, but the digital world was not built with children’s healthy mental development in mind. We need approaches that support children both online and offline, meeting each child where they are while making the digital spaces they live in safer and healthier. The Surgeon General’s recommendations call for just that approach. The American Academy of Pediatrics is collaborating with the Surgeon General and other federal leaders on youth mental health and social media on this important initiative. We look forward to working with you.” – Sandy Chan, MD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics
“With the near-universal use of social media among young Americans, these apps and sites pose significant risks and harm to mental health in ways we are only beginning to fully understand. As physicians, we see firsthand the effects of social media, especially during adolescence, a critical period of brain development. We are working on this important recommendation to highlight this issue and enumerate concrete steps that stakeholders can take to address concerns and protect people’s mental health and well-being. We applaud the Surgeon General for issuing the “While we continue to believe in the positive benefits of social media, we continue to believe in the positive benefits of social media, but we also include safeguards and additional information about the biological, psychological, and social positive and negative effects of social media.” We are also seeking research on Jack Resneck Jr., MD, President of the American Medical Association
“The first principle of medicine is to do no harm. This is the same standard by which social media platforms must be maintained. As the Surgeon General has pointed out throughout his tenure, we all must , we have a role to play in addressing the youth mental health crisis we currently face as a nation. We have a responsibility to ensure that social media keeps young people safe. And this Surgeon General As our recommendations make clear, we, as physicians and therapists, have a responsibility to join in this effort.” – Saul Levin, MD, MPA, CEO and Medical Director, American Psychiatric Association
“The American Psychological Association applauds the Surgeon General’s recommendations on social media and youth mental health and affirms the use of psychology to achieve clear recommendations to keep youth safe online. Psychological research shows that young people develop at different rates, and some young people are more vulnerable than others to the content and features of many social media platforms. We are committed to working with the Surgeon General to support and help create the healthy digital environment that children need and deserve.” – Dr. Arthur Evans Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, American Psychological Association;
“Social media use by young people is pervasive. It can help them and all of us live more connected lives, but only if appropriate oversight, regulation and guardrails are applied. Now is the time. It’s time for policymakers, businesses and experts to come together and make social media a safety priority, helping young users grow and thrive. The Surgeon General’s Impact Recommendation provides a roadmap for us to do so, and it is important that we approach this collective effort with care and urgency to help today’s youth.” – Susan L. Pollan, Ph.D., Deputy Executive Director, Division of Public Health and Advocacy, American Public Health Association
The National Parent Teacher Association shared:
“Every parent’s top priority for their children is that they are happy, healthy, and safe. We hear from families that they need and want information about social media and device use. This recommendation from the Surgeon General says family engagement on this issue is essential and is one of the core solutions to keeping children safe online and supporting their mental health and well-being. It confirms that it will continue to exist.” – Anna King, President of the National Parent Teacher Association.
In December 2021, Dr. Murthy issued the following statement: Surgeon General’s recommendations on protecting the mental health of young people It calls attention to the national crisis of young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Earlier this month he Surgeon General’s recommendations on the prevalence of loneliness and isolationThere, he outlined the serious health implications of social disconnection and laid out six pillars to increase connectivity across the country, one of which was the need to reform the digital landscape. .new Surgeon General’s recommendations on social media and young people’s mental health This is a continuation of his work to promote the mental health and well-being of young people across the country.
The Surgeon General’s full recommendations can be read here.
For more information about the Surgeon General, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/priorities.