Warning labels on social media: That’s what the United States Surgeon General called for last month, saying the apps are a significant contributor to the mental health crisis among younger people.
Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is urging Congress to mandate warning labels on social media apps, similar to those on products like cigarettes or alcohol. However, an instructor in the Communication and Journalism Department at The University of New Mexico says it won't be straightforward.
“If you have a cigarette box, you can label it. If you have a bottle of alcohol, you can easily put a label on it because it’s a physical product. It gets more complex with a digital product,” Carolina Contreras said. “Where does the label go? Will someone actually see it, interact with that label?”
Studies indicate that 95% of young people (13-17) use social media, a notable statistic for Associate Professor Dr. Kristina Sowar with the Department of Psychiatry at UNM. She notes there is a clear correlation between social media use and issues such as depression and body image anxiety.
“What’s concerning is how much of that is unfiltered or not monitored by parents, and also the amount of time and accessibility that kids may have on social media," Sowar said.
Over ten years, Sowar has observed an increase in children and teens struggling with their mental health and seeking help. She believes the Surgeon General's push for digital warning labels is meaningful.
Contreras agrees that health warnings are a step in the right direction but emphasizes that warning labels would only be an initial measure requiring further action.
“Putting a short warning label on an end-user license agreement or pop-up that can be dismissed with one click would most likely not be very effective," Contreras said. “Studies show that as little as 9% of people read end-user agreements; they may glance at them at best and agree."
Contreras suggests that warning labels must be complemented by public awareness campaigns and digital literacy programs for everyone. "Parents need more information with clear guidelines for different ages and stages of social media use. Many people incorrectly think that digital natives know everything they need to know about technology."
Others question the effectiveness of digital warning labels.
"People are largely desensitized to warning labels because we find them everywhere, from grocery items to furniture," said Principal Lecturer John Benavidez in the Anderson School of Management. "Requiring warning labels on social media platforms will only serve to tell us what we already know—that time spent using social media can put people, especially teens, at risk for experiencing poor mental health outcomes."
While some believe parents should take charge, others feel social media companies should bear responsibility.
“Social media companies may have tried to add parental controls onto their apps but ultimately tend to put the responsibility onto parents," Contreras said. "However, studies show kids and parents want social media companies to help with the situation and take responsibility.”
In some cases, parents argue social media offers advantages such as interaction and support for children; however, Contreras warns evidence increasingly shows more problems than benefits related to mental health from these platforms.
“The problems related to mental health have to do with all of the apps and internet access in general," she noted. "There’s content not intended for children’s consumption made available through these apps."
Murthy took to social media last month stating: "Parents are feeling overwhelmed and outmatched when it comes to their kids' social media use." He suggested that digital Surgeon General's warnings could help parents understand risks better.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, parents should create family media plans and tech-free zones at home while encouraging companies to assess their impact on users' health.
Murthy emphasized that adding warning labels would require Congressional legislation.
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