This week in Nashville, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, along with 41 other attorneys general, sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to pass legislation authorizing a U.S. Surgeon General warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. The letter highlights increasing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of young people.
“Algorithmic social media platforms have had a devastating effect on kids’ mental health,” stated Attorney General Skrmetti. “I am proud to support the Surgeon General’s call for a warning on the platforms to ensure both children and their parents better understand the risks. The evidence of the damage done by these platforms continues to mount. My office is in litigation against several social media corporations and remains committed to ensuring that this entire industry does right by our kids.”
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The attorneys general referenced extensive research linking the use of these platforms to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among children and teenagers. They emphasized how features like algorithmic recommendations, infinite scrolling, and constant notifications are designed to keep users engaged, often at the expense of other activities, breaks, or sleep.
States have already taken significant steps to hold social media platforms accountable. Last year, Tennessee, along with 44 other states and the District of Columbia, filed a lawsuit against Meta. Numerous states, including Tennessee, are also investigating or suing TikTok. Despite these efforts, the attorneys general argue that further federal action is necessary.
The letter to Congress was co-led by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York. Additional signatories include attorneys general from Alabama, American Samoa, Arkansas, 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.
You can read the letter here.
Source: Read Original Release