On with Kara Swisher

Guns, Social Media & Loneliness with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

Jul 18, 2024

In this discussion, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy talks candidly about the pressing public health crisis of gun violence and the alarming rise of loneliness, particularly exacerbated by social media and the pandemic. He pushes for warning labels on social media to protect teens' mental health and explains how gun violence impacts communities at large. Murthy highlights the urgent need for legislative action and community involvement to address these deeply entrenched issues, while also stressing the importance of rebuilding trust in public health institutions.

55:54

Episode guests

Vivek H. Murthy

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy advocates for warning labels on social media to address youth mental health concerns.

Gun violence is highlighted as a public health crisis, emphasizing the need for firearm risk reduction strategies.

Loneliness is recognized as a critical public health issue, stressing the importance of community connections and in-person interactions.

Deep dives

A Call for Social Media Warning Labels and Dealing with Tech Backlash

The Surgeon General, Vivek Morthy, has made significant calls to address the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health, emphasizing the importance of warning labels on social media platforms. Despite facing backlash, he remains committed to promoting dialogue around vital issues, aiming to balance the benefits and harms of technology.

Means Matter in Suicide Prevention

01:13

Right Timing for Recommendations

01:09

Building Trust in Public Health

01:23

Intro

3min

Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis

14min

Gun Control and Social Media: A Call for Action

12min

Navigating the Complexities of Social Media Use for Families

3min

Navigating Social Media's Impact on Kids

9min

The Epidemic of Loneliness and Public Health Challenges

4min

Rebuilding Trust in Public Health

7min

Navigating Misinformation in the Age of AI

4min

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy isn’t afraid to go after powerful interests. In mid-June, he published an op-ed in The New York Times calling for a warning label on social media platforms that says they’re associated with mental health problems for teens. The following week, he declared that gun violence is a public health crisis. However, the surgeon general's powers are limited. It'll take an act of Congress to put a warning label on social media platforms, and thanks to the Roberts court, even legislators are limited in their ability to regulate firearms.

Kara and Dr. Murthy discuss this country's seemingly intractable gun problem and the debate around the research into the harms caused by social media, along with his work on loneliness, and how Covid has eroded trust in the public health sector.

Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find Kara on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher

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On with Kara Swisher

Guns, Social Media & Loneliness with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

A Call for Social Media Warning Labels and Dealing with Tech Backlash

Addressing Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis

Combatting Loneliness as a Fundamental Public Health Challenge

Localized Trust-Building and Health Misinformation Management

Role of Schools in Mitigating Phone Distractions and Enhancing Social Interactions

Navigating the Intersection of Politics and Public Health

Means Matter in Suicide Prevention

Right Timing for Recommendations

Building Trust in Public Health

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts