| What happened: U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has issued a stark warning about social media's impact on children and adolescents, citing evidence of a "profound risk of harm" to their well-being and mental health. Details: In a new public advisory, Murthy calls on U.S. tech firms and lawmakers to establish safer digital spaces for young people. He recommends age restrictions and safety standards, along with more transparent data sharing and research into the risks of online interactions. What the numbers say: YouTube remains the most widely used platform among teens, followed by TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. According to Pew Research, as many as 95% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 use social media, with 19% reporting that they are on YouTube "almost constantly." While 54% of teens said it would be difficult to give up social media, 36% acknowledged spending too much time on the platforms. What it means: Spending over 3 hours a day on social media doubles the risk of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, in children and adolescents, according to Murthy. Meanwhile, a recent survey indicated that teens spend 3.5 hours a day on average on social media. Despite the drawbacks, social media can also benefit teens by fostering connections with friends and offering a platform for creativity, support, and acceptance, according to Pew.
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