Surgeon General warns of social media danger to mental health

00:03:23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SvqoaZzyVs

Summary

TLDRThe Surgeon General has issued an advisory emphasizing the urgent need to address the mental health impacts of social media on children and adolescents. With a majority of teens engaged on these platforms, and many younger children also accessing social media, the risks of depression, anxiety, and even suicide are growing. Despite efforts from tech companies to implement safety measures, the Surgeon General calls for more stringent regulatory actions from Congress and more proactive steps by parents, such as creating tech-free zones. The advisory acknowledges the positive aspects of social media, like connectivity and support, but stresses the critical importance of safeguarding young users.

Takeaways

  • 🚨 Social media poses a mental health risk to young users.
  • 📊 95% of teens use social media, many of them heavily.
  • 📈 Increased depression and anxiety are linked to social media use.
  • 🚫 Consider tech-free zones at home to reduce exposure.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Foster collaboration among parents for shared guidance.
  • 🔞 Age limits exist but are often bypassed by younger children.
  • 🛠 Tech companies claim to enhance user safety but need more regulation.
  • 🚸 Lawmakers are urged to treat this issue like other public safety concerns.
  • 📱 Social media connectivity has benefits but must be carefully managed.
  • 🕰 Setting age-appropriate guidelines can help mitigate risks.

Timeline

  • 00:00:00 - 00:03:23

    The discussion revolves around concerns over the impact of social media on children's mental health. Recently, a new advisory highlights the lack of evidence supporting the safety of social media for young users. High rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among youth are linked to social media usage, with teens spending significant time on these platforms. Despite age restrictions, many children under 13 are using social media, prompting debates on appropriate usage age. While tech companies assert protective measures are in place, the Surgeon General advocates for stronger regulations and tech-free zones at home to safeguard children’s well-being. The advisory acknowledges positive aspects of social media, like connectivity and support, but emphasizes the need for cautious approach to its usage in families.

Mind Map

Video Q&A

  • Why is the Surgeon General issuing a warning about social media now?

    The warning is being issued to raise awareness about the dangers of social media for kids' mental health.

  • What mental health issues are associated with social media use in teens?

    Social media use is linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among young people.

  • How many teens are on social media?

    About 95% of teens are on social media, with more than a third being constant users.

  • How much time do teens spend on social media daily?

    Teens spend an average of three and a half hours each day on social media apps.

  • What age do platforms like Facebook and Instagram require users to be?

    Users are required to be at least 13 years old to create accounts on these platforms.

  • What percentage of kids aged 8 to 12 use social media?

    Nearly 40% of kids aged 8 to 12 say they have used social media.

  • What does the Surgeon General recommend for social media usage?

    The Surgeon General suggests creating tech-free zones at home and partnering with like-minded parents for support.

  • How does the Surgeon General suggest regulating social media companies?

    He suggests that Congress could regulate social media companies in the same manner as it regulates car safety.

  • What do tech companies claim regarding social media safety?

    Tech companies claim they have taken steps to improve safety for kids on their platforms.

  • What is a recommended age for kids to start using social media, according to some experts?

    While opinions differ, some experts recommend waiting until kids are at least 14.

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Subtitles
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  • 00:00:01
    ON PARENTS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO
  • 00:00:03
    KEEP KIDS SAFE ONLINE AND HE'S
  • 00:00:05
    ARGUING THE TECH COMPANIES AND
  • 00:00:07
    CONGRESS NEED TO DO MORE.
  • 00:00:09
    FOR DECADES, THERE HAS BEEN THE
  • 00:00:11
    SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING ON
  • 00:00:12
    PACKS OF CIGARETTES.
  • 00:00:14
    BUT A NEW WARNING ABOUT
  • 00:00:15
    SOMETHING ELSE, SOCIAL MEDIA AND
  • 00:00:17
    WHAT IT MEANS FOR KIDS MENTAL
  • 00:00:18
    HEALTH.
  • 00:00:18
    WHY NOW FOR THIS ADVISORY?
  • 00:00:20
    >> WE'RE ISSUING THIS ADVISORY
  • 00:00:22
    TO SOUND THE ALARM.
  • 00:00:24
    >> Reporter: THERE IS NOT ENOUGH
  • 00:00:26
    EVIDENCE TO SHOW SOCIAL MEDIA
  • 00:00:27
    PLATFORMS ARE SAFE ENOUGH FOR
  • 00:00:28
    KIDS AND TEENS.
  • 00:00:30
    >> WE SEE RATES OF DEPRESSION
  • 00:00:34
    AND ANXIETY AND SUICIDE
  • 00:00:36
    ESCALATING UP AMONG YOUNG
  • 00:00:36
    PEOPLE.
  • 00:00:37
    I'M CONCERNED THAT SOCIAL MEDIA
  • 00:00:40
    IS AN IMPORTANT DRIVER OF THAT
  • 00:00:42
    YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
  • 00:00:44
    THIS IS THE DEFINING CRISIS OF
  • 00:00:45
    OUR TIME.
  • 00:00:47
    >> Reporter: 95% OF TEENS ARE ON
  • 00:00:49
    SOCIAL MEDIA.
  • 00:00:50
    MORE THAN A THIRD SAY THEY'RE ON
  • 00:00:52
    CONSTANTLY.
  • 00:00:52
    AND TEENS SPEND AN AVERAGE OF
  • 00:00:54
    THREE AND A HALF HOURS EACH DAY
  • 00:00:56
    ON THESE KINDS OF APPS,
  • 00:00:57
    SOMETHING RESEARCH SHOWS CAN
  • 00:00:59
    DOUBLE THE RISK OF EXPERIENCING
  • 00:01:01
    SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND
  • 00:01:02
    ANXIETY.
  • 00:01:03
    >> THE OTHER DAY, MY DAUGHTER
  • 00:01:05
    CAME UP TO MY WIFE AND I AND
  • 00:01:09
    ASKED US IF SHE COULD POST A
  • 00:01:11
    PICTURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
  • 00:01:12
    >> Reporter: HOW OLD IS HE?
  • 00:01:13
    >> SHE'S FIVE YEARS OLD.
  • 00:01:15
    SHE'S IN PRESCHOOL, BUT SHE HAS
  • 00:01:17
    BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS ON
  • 00:01:17
    FRIENDS.
  • 00:01:18
    >> Reporter: ALL OF THE
  • 00:01:19
    PLATFORMS REQUIRE USERS TO BE AT
  • 00:01:21
    HE'S 13 YEARS OLD TO CREATE
  • 00:01:23
    ACCOUNTS, BUT NEARLY 40% OF KIDS
  • 00:01:25
    AGES 8 TO 12 SAY THEY HAVE USED
  • 00:01:28
    SOCIAL MEDIA, TOO.
  • 00:01:30
    THIS TECH EXPERT SEES IT IN THE
  • 00:01:33
    CONVERSATIONS HE'S HAD OVER THE
  • 00:01:34
    PAST SIX YEARS WITH MORE THAN
  • 00:01:36
    100,000 STUDENTS AND TEACHES.
  • 00:01:38
    >> WHEN I STARTED GETTING THIS
  • 00:01:40
    WORK, I WAS GETTING THE QUESTION
  • 00:01:42
    IS 16 TOO YOUNG.
  • 00:01:44
    NOW I'M GETTING THE QUESTION IS
  • 00:01:46
    THIRD GRADE TOO YOUNG.
  • 00:01:48
    >> Reporter: HE RECOMMENDS 14.
  • 00:01:49
    BUT ULTIMATELY, THE RIGHT AGE
  • 00:01:51
    MAY BE DIFFERENT FOR DIFFERENT
  • 00:01:52
    FAMILIES.
  • 00:01:53
    YOU ARE CERTAIN TO GET PUSHBACK
  • 00:01:55
    FROM TECH COMPANIES WHO SAY
  • 00:01:56
    THEY'RE TRYING TO PROTECT KIDS.
  • 00:01:58
    >> I APPRECIATE THAT TECHNOLOGY
  • 00:02:01
    COMPANIES HAVE TAKEN SOME STEPS
  • 00:02:02
    TO KEEP KIDS SAFE, BUT IT HASN'T
  • 00:02:04
    BEEN NEARLY TOUGH.
  • 00:02:05
    >> Reporter: THE SURGEON GENERAL
  • 00:02:07
    THINKS CONGRESS CAN AND SHOULD
  • 00:02:09
    DO MORE TO REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA
  • 00:02:12
    COMPANIES, THE SAME WAY AS CAR SEATS, FOR EXAMPLE.
  • 00:02:13
    SEATS, FOR EXAMPLE.
  • 00:02:14
    AT HOME, THE ADVISORY RECOMMENDS
  • 00:02:19
    TECH FREE ZONES LIKE AT MEAL
  • 00:02:22
    TIMES AND PARTNERING WITH OTHER
  • 00:02:24
    PARENTS WITH SIMILAR
  • 00:02:25
    PHILOSOPHIES FOR SUPPORT.
  • 00:02:27
    >> WHAT'S AT STAKE IS OUR KIDS
  • 00:02:29
    AND THEIR FUTURE, PLAIN AND
  • 00:02:30
    SIMPLE.
  • 00:02:31
    >> Reporter: THE SURGEON
  • 00:02:33
    GENERAL'S ADVISORY ACKNOWLEDGES
  • 00:02:34
    THERE ARE GOOD THINGS ABOUT
  • 00:02:36
    TEENS BEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE
  • 00:02:38
    ABILITY TO CONNECT, FIND
  • 00:02:38
    SUPPORT.
  • 00:02:39
    WE REACHED OUT TO THE BIG SOCIAL
  • 00:02:42
    MEDIA PLATFORMS ON THIS WAITING
  • 00:02:43
    TO HEAR BACK, BUT MANY OF THEM
  • 00:02:45
    HAVE PUT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN
  • 00:02:46
    PLACE.
  • 00:02:48
    META PROMPTS TEENS TO TAKE
  • 00:02:50
    BREAKS.
  • 00:02:51
    IT REALLY IS A DEBATE FOR EACH
  • 00:02:52
    FAMILY.
  • 00:02:53
    IF YOU ARE WONDERING, OKAY, WHAT
  • 00:02:55
    IS THE SURGEON GENERAL DOING.
  • 00:02:57
    HE TELLS ME HE AND WIFE PLAN TO
  • 00:02:59
    WAIT UNTIL THEIR KIDS ARE OUT OF
  • 00:03:01
    MIDDLE SCHOOL TO GET ON THOSE
  • 00:03:02
    APPS.
  • 00:03:03
    >> IT IS THE ISSUE OF OUR TIME.
  • 00:03:05
    THINK ABOUT THE WARNING ABOUT
  • 00:03:07
    SMOKING IN THE '80s AND THERE IS
Tags
  • Surgeon General
  • social media
  • mental health
  • teen depression
  • anxiety
  • youth suicide
  • tech companies
  • regulation
  • parent involvement
  • safety measures