Following U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy’s call for mental health warning labels for social media, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued a statement from Senior Policy Manager Ashley Johnson.
"The Surgeon General’s remarks are a prime example of the ongoing tech panic surrounding social media," Johnson stated. "This familiar cycle has targeted countless technological developments over the centuries, from the novel to bicycles to video games, and almost always results in misguided regulation that addresses irrational fears instead of real issues."
Johnson further argued that while the Surgeon General claims social media has not been proven safe for children, it also has not been proven unsafe. "There is no clear scientific consensus on the effects of social media use on children," she said. "Moreover, unlike tobacco, social media provides real benefits to children in the form of entertainment, education, and social connection."
She emphasized that many aspects of everyday life can be either beneficial or detrimental to young people’s health depending on individual circumstances. According to Johnson, regulation should focus on mitigating risks while emphasizing the benefits of social media use for young people.
Contact: Nicole Hinojosa, [email protected]
