Dozens of attorneys general urge Congress to add social media warning labels
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Bipartisan attorneys general in 42 states and D.C. support a federal effort to add a surgeon general warning to social media platforms for risks to youth wellbeing, they said in a letter on Tuesday.
Why it matters: This demand shows mounting support for U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's plea to Congress.
- "We sometimes disagree about important issues, but all of us share an abiding concern for the safety of the kids in our jurisdictions — and algorithm-driven social media platforms threaten that safety," the attorneys said in the letter.
- The plea is addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
- A surgeon general's warning label requires congressional action.
Catch up quick: Murthy demanded social media warning labels in June.
- He referred to research indicating that youth who spend more than three hours daily on social media face increased risk of showing signs of anxiety and depression.
State of play: Kids' digital wellbeing has bipartisan backing in Congress, but legislation has still stalled.
- The Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act in June, but it has faced a roadblock in the House because of concerns over censorship or harming marginalized youth.
Reality check: The warning label would be a "consequential step toward mitigating the risk of harm to youth" but still wouldn't address the full scope of the problem, the attorneys said in the letter.
- The call for a tobacco-style warning fell flat to some tech researchers and writers.
Flashback: Attorneys general of 45 states and D.C. filed a series of lawsuits against Meta last year for harmful and manipulative product features, affecting young users' engagement.
- Some states have similarly litigated against TikTok, as others still investigate the company's misconduct.
Go deeper: Surgeon general's social media warning raises eyebrows
