Surgeon general calls on warning for social media

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The constant notifications from social media platforms have the power to grab your attention and hold it for hours.

Dr. Britani Black, a clinical psychologist with Marshall Health Network, said social media and its uses have drastically changed since the pandemic.

“I think people like the connectivity, and they want to be connected. Social media is easiest for some folks, especially with how isolated people were during the pandemic,” said Black.

On Monday, the U.S. surgeon general has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes.

“It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents. A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe,” Murthy said. “Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.”

Black said while warning labels may be beneficial, she doesn’t believe it’s the entire solution.

“For me personally, having those conversations. I think the warning label can be a good conversation starter, so it could be open to talking about the hard things with it[social media],” Black said. “It’s not a black-and-white situation. There are so many good things about it. I love social media for a lot of reasons, but it has so many things that can be potentially scary for kids.”

Black said she often sees adolescents struggle with a wide range of topics associated with social media.

“We think of everything from cyberbullying to just that basic social comparison piece of not feeling good enough or I don’t look this way this person does. It definitely has an impact because it’s so easy to keep access,” Black said.

While work and school have moved people to rely on social media more often, Black encourages people to take time to unplug.

She recommends swapping activities for scrolling to something that interests you, such as reading or exercising.

Copyright 2024 WSAZ. All rights reserved.