Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy criticized Congress for not fulfilling its role in protecting children from the dangers of social media during an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” He urged lawmakers to implement legislation mandating warning labels about social media’s risks to children and enhancing data transparency from tech companies for better research on these effects. Murthy likened social media to cars lacking safety features, emphasizing the moral obligation to safeguard children from unregulated online experiences.
Murthy highlighted recent attempts in Congress to pass regulatory measures, such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). Despite bipartisan support, these bills faced resistance from civil liberties groups and social media firms, with COPPA 2.0 proposing age limits for data collection and advertising towards minors. KOSA sought to impose a “duty of care” on social media companies, making them legally accountable for harmful content directed at youth, but neither bill advanced in the House last year.
Echoing Murthy’s concerns about social media’s impact on children’s health and social connections, former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, now a mental health advocate, stressed the need for preventive care funding. He advocated for a “prevention fund” to invest in mental health initiatives, underscoring the urgency of addressing rising childhood loneliness and isolation linked to social media use. Murthy warned that children’s developing brains make them particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of social media, such as reduced self-esteem and unhealthy social comparisons. Both advocates called for immediate action to address these critical issues.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
