On Monday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published an op-ed in the New York Times urging Congress to pass warning label requirements for social media platforms on the basis that social media “is not proven safe” for teens. On the contrary, recent research findings have repeatedly found that social media is not a significant contributor to adolescent mental health symptoms.

While a report last year from the Surgeon General acknowledged that more research was needed on social media’s impact and highlighted its positive benefits for many communities of young people, today’s op-ed urges Congress to move ahead regardless of research findings.

“Putting a warning label on online speech isn’t just scientifically unsound, it’s at odds with the constitutional right to free speech,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich. “It’s surprising to see the U.S. Surgeon General attacking social media when teens themselves say it provides an important outlet for social connection.”

Colorado recently passed legislation requiring social media platforms to display a pop-up warning notification to minors who spend more than an hour on a social media platform. Chamber of Progress urged Colorado lawmakers to oppose that legislation.

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.