Illinois Supports Putting Surgeon General Warning On Social Media

A movement that's gaining national traction has picked up another supporter in Illinois.

We can all agree social media can be a mess and it has caused many problems in the past, from body image issues to safety problems like catfishing.

Now, 42 states support a proposal (from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy) to put a surgeon general's warning on social media platforms. These are the kinds of warnings you see on cigarettes or nicotine pouches. You've probably seen huge posters of them by the checkout counter at gas stations too.

According to WHBF, 42 states support putting a surgeon general's warning on social media platforms, including Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Iowa, however, has not yet supported the proposal.

Why

A  2023 Gallup survey found that teens spend an average 4.6 hours a day on social media. 55% of girls spend at least 4 hours a day scrolling, while 48% of boys are on social media.

Experts say these kids who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media may be at a greater risk for mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

The same can happen to adults. In Murthy's letter calling for the warning this summer, he reminded everyone that social media hasn't been proven safe. He said:

A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe

American Defamation League CEO and National Director, Jonathon Greenblatt compared the social media platforms to drugs themselves, saying they're "designed to hook users, create a dependency, and alter behavior – often for the worse".