TN AG Leads Bipartisan Letter to Congress Requesting Surgeon General Warning on Social Media Platforms

NASHVILLE& – This week, in a letter to Congress, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and 41 attorneys general called on lawmakers to pass legislation authorizing a U.S. Surgeon General warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. The letter comes amidst growing scrutiny of social media companies for their role in generational harm to young people’s mental health. “Algorithmic social media platforms have had a devastating effect on kids’ mental health,” said& Tennessee Attorney General Skrmetti. “I am proud to support the Surgeon General’s call for a warning on the platforms to ensure both children and their parents better understand the risks. The evidence of the damage done by these platforms continues to mount. My office is in litigation against several social media corporations and remains committed to ensuring that this entire industry does right by our kids.” The attorneys general cited growing bodies of research that link young people’s use of these platforms to psychological harm–including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts in kids and teens. They also note how platforms feature irresistible algorithmic recommendations, infinite scrolling, and a constant stream of notifications are designed to keep kids relentlessly engaged on the platforms, even at the expense of taking breaks, engaging...