Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy criticized Congress for not adequately protecting children from the dangers of social media during an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” He urged lawmakers to legislate warning labels about the harms of social media and increase transparency for research purposes. Murthy likened social media’s current unregulated state to allowing children to ride in cars without seat belts or airbags, calling it “morally unacceptable.”
Despite bipartisan support, Congress has struggled to pass regulation, with bills like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the updated Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) facing pushback from civil liberties groups and social media companies. COPPA 2.0 sought to raise the age limit for data collection from children, while KOSA aimed to impose legal liability on social media companies for harmful content directed at children.
Murthy emphasized that the rise of social media is linked to a loneliness epidemic, negatively impacting children’s mental health. He warned that online connections differ from in-person relationships, potentially leading to isolation and decreased self-esteem among youth. The influence of social media, especially on developing brains, can increase susceptibility to social comparison and impair impulse control.
Former Representative Patrick J. Kennedy supported Murthy’s position, stating that the government is failing to support children effectively. He proposed a “prevention fund” for mental health, advocating for investments in preventive care and the need for a simplified reimbursement system to address these issues proactively.
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