Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy: social media and America's youth crisis
Nov 9, 2023
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Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, discusses the urgent youth crisis in America's mental health and the negative impact of social media on young people. He emphasizes the need for immediate action to prevent losing a generation. The podcast explores the lack of safety standards, the role of parents, and efforts to protect children on social media. It also addresses legislation and lawsuits related to children's online safety.
Social media's impact on youth mental health crisis requires urgent action from tech companies and the government to establish and enforce safety standards.
Excessive social media use increases the risk of anxiety, depression symptoms, and negatively affects body image and sleep quality, highlighting the need for parents to establish boundaries and create positive influences in their children's lives.
Deep dives
Youth mental health crisis and the need for action
The Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, warns of a youth mental health crisis in America. Suicides and rates of psychiatric emergency room visits have skyrocketed, with social media exacerbating the problem. Studies show that frequent social media use can lead to changes in brain development and increased vulnerability to social rewards and punishments. The Surgeon General emphasizes the lack of action from tech companies and the government in addressing this issue, calling for the establishment and enforcement of safety standards to protect young people from harmful content and manipulation.
Impact of social media on youth mental health
Social media has become a tool that can harm young people's mental health. Dr. Murthy's advisory reveals that spending three or more hours on social media doubles the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents. It also negatively affects body image and sleep quality. Dr. Murthy emphasizes that social media, originally designed to foster connections, has instead contributed to loneliness and isolation. He urges parents to establish tech-free zones and advocates for independent safety standards that protect children from exposure to harmful content and prevent excessive platform use.
Importance of addressing the youth mental health crisis
Dr. Murthy highlights the urgent need to address the youth mental health crisis to prevent losing a generation of young people. He emphasizes that rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide have been increasing among young people even prior to the pandemic. Dr. Murthy calls for government intervention, stressing the importance of independent safety standards and enforcement to protect children from the adverse effects of social media. He also encourages parents to delay their children's social media use and create positive influences in their lives to counteract the harmful impact of online platforms.
Young people were struggling before the pandemic. Today, their mental health challenges are acute—and social media is making it worse. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has been sounding the alarm, and he tells Niala Boodhoo: "If we don't do something now, we are at risk of losing a generation of young people."
How does the Surgeon General plan to fix America's urgent youth crisis?
Plus, a reality check on efforts in Washington and beyond to make social media safer for kids.
Credits: 1 big thing is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Alex Sugiura. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas as a text or voice memo to Niala at 202-918-4893.