Oh, they mean business….
A massive group of state attorney generals called for Congress to pass legislation requiring the U.S. Surgeon General to place a warning label on all social media platforms, The Hill reports.
Forty-two lawyers from states and U.S. territories released a letter on Sept. 9, hoping that Congress would move on Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s proposal to require official warnings across social media platforms. “Young people are facing a mental health crisis, which is fueled in large part by social media,” the letter started, addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
“As Surgeon General Murthy recognized, this generational harm demands immediate action. By mandating a surgeon general’s warning on algorithm-driven social media platforms, Congress can help decrease this growing crisis and protect future generations of Americans.”
“A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe.”
While the federal government has also threatened to ban TikTok in the United States, the AGs think those on Capitol Hill need to do more to alert people to the dangers of social media. “Everyone needs to know the risk associated with these social media platforms,” James said.
“The Surgeon General’s recommendation is a strong first step in that direction, and I hope warning labels will be implemented swiftly to raise more awareness about this issue.”
The legislation, supported by Microsoft, X, and Snapchat, requires tech companies to protect children from dangerous online content and be accountable when their platforms cause harm.
Source: Black Enterprise
