Social media use can have positive and negative effects on youth mental health. The proposed warning label, similar to those on cigarette packages or alcohol, is meant to raise awareness of the negative effects of excessive social media use among youth. While social media can increase connectedness and provide community, it can also be a platform for cyberbullying, and too much of it can also increase unrealistic or negative body image and feelings of loneliness. Getting the labels on social media platforms would require congressional action.

While mental health distress among youth has been rising for over a decade, the COVID-19 pandemic has had additional negative impacts on youth mental health. The social isolation and disruption in school schedules caused by the pandemic worsened the youth mental health crisis in the U.S.

In response to rising rates of youth reporting poor mental health, the U.S. Surgeon General has called for a warning label on social media platforms in response to some evidence that shows too much time on social media can be linked to poorer mental health.

The U.S. Surgeon General is the chief medical doctor and health educator for the United States, responsible for offering the public the best scientific information to improve health.

Excessive social media use can limit social connection at school and among families. While the mental health crisis among youth is likely caused by a variety of factors, a high level of social media use may contribute to poorer mental health outcomes if it decreases in-person social connection. We are still learning about this, and more information on how to support children and teens through mental health challenges can be found at CDC.gov.

We are still learning about how social media use impacts connections to friends and family members. Some research shows it can have a positive effect, and increase feelings of connectivity, while other studies show that too much time on social media is linked to more social isolation. It is unclear if social isolation causes more social media use, or if social media use causes more social isolation.

There are concerns that imposing a warning label on social media may limit people’s rights to freedom of speech.