In a concerted effort to address the growing mental health crisis among young social media users, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, alongside 41 other state and territorial attorneys general, has urged congressional leaders to pass legislation mandating a U.S. Surgeon General warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. This call to action comes in response to mounting evidence that these platforms may be contributing to significant psychological harm among youth.
Attorney General Moody emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, “Studies show that there is a link between youth’s use of social media and psychological harm. We are fighting to protect our youth online by calling on Congress to pass legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning on these platforms. This warning would not only highlight the inherent risks that social media platforms presently pose for young people, but also complement other efforts to spur attention, research and investment into the oversight of social media platforms.”
The coalition of attorneys general is backing their demand with increasing research indicating that algorithm-driven platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat may be linked to severe mental health issues among adolescents, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. These platforms, designed to be engaging through features such as endless scrolling, algorithmic recommendations, and constant notifications, have been criticized for keeping users hooked at the expense of their well-being, sleep, and other activities.
Despite several states taking proactive measures to hold social media companies accountable, including legal actions and investigations, the coalition argues that federal intervention is necessary due to the platforms’ persistent reluctance to address these issues independently. Attorney General Moody has previously taken significant steps, including filing a lawsuit against Meta in October 2023 and calling for legislative action to protect children from online exploitation and harmful features.
The coalition’s call for a Surgeon General warning aims to provide a formal acknowledgment of the risks associated with social media use, potentially guiding more robust regulatory measures and encouraging further research into the psychological effects of these platforms.
In addition to their current advocacy, Attorney General Moody has been active in pushing for social media reforms. She has demanded that Meta halt the monetization of child exploitation and has sought legislative measures to enhance parental controls on social media platforms. Recent actions include Meta’s introduction of a “nightly nudges” feature designed to encourage users to take breaks, though it remains optional and has not fully addressed the concerns raised by the legal actions.
Moreover, Moody, along with 46 other attorneys general, has initiated a multistate investigation into TikTok’s practices to determine if the platform’s operations have violated consumer protection laws by negatively impacting the mental health of its younger users.
The attorneys general’s letter underscores a bipartisan consensus on the need for a comprehensive federal response to the challenges posed by social media. As they await Congressional action, the coalition’s efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need to safeguard young people in an increasingly digital world.
For more details on the coalition’s letter and ongoing efforts to address social media’s impact on mental health, you can access the full text here.
