New York City says social media is a health hazard
New York City is the first major city to say social media is an environmental toxin, or “public health hazard,” Mayor Eric Adams announced January 24, 2024.
Adams claimed social media companies are “fueling a mental health crisis,” especially for young people during his State of the City address.
“Companies like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features,” Adams said. “We cannot stand by and let Big Tech monetize our children’s privacy and jeopardize their mental health.”
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan issued an advisory to classify “unfettered access to and use of social media” as a public health hazard.
The advisory noted that youth mental health in New York City has been declining for over a decade.
Hopelessness among NYC high schoolers increased by over 42% between 2011 and 2021
Suicidal ideation increased by more than 34%
38% of NYC high schoolers felt so sad or hopeless in 2021 that they stopped engaging in their usual activities. Young people who identify as Black, Latino, female or LGBTQ+ bear disproportionately high rates of experiencing hopelessness.
The mental health decline is occurring at the same time that 77% of NYC high schoolers spent three or more hours per day in front of screens on an average school day, not including time spent on schoolwork.
In the advisory, the department laid out a series of steps that adults, especially parents and caregivers, can take to promote healthy social media use. They recommend parents and caregivers delay giving kids access to a smartphone or social media until at least the age of 14 and create a “family media plan” that guides families to use internet devices intentionally.
The advisory also urged federal and state policymakers to build upon legislative proposals that protect young people “from predatory practices by social media companies.”
U.S. Surgeon General agrees that social media harms kids’ mental health
New York City is not alone in calling out social media companies for harming kids. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a strong warning in 2023, saying social media presents a profound risk of harm for kids.
“While social media may have benefits for some children and adolescents, there are ample indicators that social media can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. At this time, we do not yet have enough evidence to determine if social media is sufficiently safe for children and adolescents.”