A Possible Downside to Limits on Teens’ Access to Social Media

Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy has suggested warning labels for harmful effects to children’s mental health on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This coincides with both state and federal focus on child safety online, with 30 states considering legislation related to social media and minors. However, scientific evidence for causal links between social media use and adverse mental health impacts remains unproven.