Attorney General Josh Stein, along with a bipartisan group of attorneys general, has called on Congress to pass legislation mandating a U.S. Surgeon General warning on all social media platforms that utilize algorithms.
“Social media companies use algorithms to hook children on apps that may harm them or expose them to inappropriate content and other dangers,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “We put warning labels on tobacco products so young people understand that they are dangerous – we also need those labels on social media.”
The attorneys general referenced research linking young people's use of these platforms to psychological harm, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among children and teens. They highlighted how platforms like TikTok and Instagram employ algorithmic recommendations, infinite scrolling, and constant notifications designed to keep users engaged at the expense of other activities or sleep. Additionally, social media can expose children to content depicting abuse and disturbing sexual images, potentially distorting their understanding of healthy relationships.
Youth online safety is a significant concern for Attorney General Stein, particularly as middle school students spend approximately five and a half hours online daily, while high school students average eight and a half hours. Last year, Stein and 41 other bipartisan attorneys general sued Meta—owner of Facebook and Instagram—for allegedly designing their platforms to be addictive for children and teenagers while misleading the public about their safety. He is also investigating TikTok.
Despite these efforts to address the harms posed by social media platforms on children's mental health, Attorney General Stein emphasizes the necessity for federal action. The attorneys general argue that more measures are needed because “social media platforms have demonstrated an unwillingness to fix the problem on their own.”
Joining Attorney General Stein in this appeal are the attorneys general from Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Utah Vermont the U.S Virgin Islands Virginia Washington Wisconsin Wyoming
A copy of the letter is available here.
###