Attorney General Tim Griffin has joined 41 other attorneys general in a bipartisan effort urging Congress to mandate U.S. Surgeon General warning labels on algorithm-driven social media platforms. The coalition aims to address the addictive nature of these algorithms and their detrimental effects on young users.
“Social media platforms have become part of everyday life for most Americans, but it’s no secret that their algorithms are inherently addictive and can have devastating impacts on young people,” Griffin stated. “That’s why I joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in support of the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent call for Congress to require that a warning be placed on all algorithm-driven social media platforms.”
Griffin emphasized parental responsibility in protecting children but acknowledged the broader societal role: “As the father of two teenagers myself, my interest in this issue goes beyond policy. It’s personal. We must protect our kids from the dangers that exist online, including algorithms that entice them to consume unhealthy amounts of content that degrades their mental health.”
He added, “A Surgeon General’s warning on social media platforms isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a step in the right direction toward keeping our kids safe in digital spaces.”
Arkansas was among the first states to file lawsuits against TikTok and Meta last year for allegedly deceiving consumers and promoting harmful algorithms to minors. Since Arkansas initiated its lawsuits in spring 2023, 45 states have filed or joined similar legal actions.
The letter to Congress was co-led by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee. Other signatories include attorneys general from Alabama, American Samoa, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Hampshire New Mexico North Carolina North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Utah Vermont the U.S Virgin Islands Virginia Washington Wisconsin and Wyoming.
To read the letter or download a PDF copy of this release visit [link].