SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)– Central New Yorkers have mixed feelings about the U.S. surgeon general’s proposal to place warning labels on social media to alert users as to its harm on children’s mental health.
“I don’t know if a disclaimer would be that efficient really in the long run,” said Juliana, a Syracuse resident. “Maybe initially people would talk about it, but there gets to a point where people just click ‘ok’ on warning notifications.”
On Monday, Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, urged Congress to enact legislation that would place a surgeon general’s warning on social media platforms, similar to the warnings on tobacco and alcohol products.
He said evidence from tobacco studies revealed that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior.
Zane, another Syracuse resident, said awareness is only the beginning.
“Warning labels would only help to a certain extent. Parents need to be fully aware of the dangers of social media,” said Zane. “It’s more important for the parents to take accountability and to control their children’s use.”
On the other hand, Deanna Green, who is a mother of two teenage girls, doesn’t believe a warning label would help at all.
“My kids would still use social media with a warning label,” said Green. “(It may only work if you) have a parent to (constantly) approve that you can go on Tik Tok.”
Green said while social media’s harm is gradually surfacing more, she would rather government crack down on drug and alcohol age requirements to prevent minors from purchasing these harmful substances.
