Is Scrolling the New Smoking in the US?*

*Editor’s note: On March 4, 2022, Russia enacted a law that criminalizes public opposition to, or independent news reporting about, the war in Ukraine. The law makes it a crime to call the war a “war” rather than a “special military operation” on social media or in a news article or broadcast. The law is understood to penalize any language that “discredits” Russia’s use of its military in Ukraine, calls for sanctions or protests Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It punishes anyone found to spread “false information” about the invasion with up to 15 years in prison.

Information technology industry lobbyists must work harder to defend their clients’ interests.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy is trying to convince Americans that excessive time on social media is harmful to their children’s and teenagers’ mental health, not just their eyes. He could get help from Congress if lawmakers allow him to put warning labels about the dangers of social media on their platforms, similar to those on alcohol and tobacco products. However, the powerful tech lobby lessen his chances of doing so.

“The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor,” Murthy wrote in The New York Times.

This isn’t the first time the public health chief has highlighted the problem of excessive social media use among kids and teens. He issued guidelines on the matter last May.

The guidelines suggest that families should avoid using smartphones during meals and engage more with each other, giving their eyes a rest. They also emphasize the importance of teaching young people that not every detail of their personal lives should be shared online. Indeed, oversharing can create risks for vulnerable children and teenagers, especially from those with malicious intentions.

Additionally, young people are wasting valuable developmental time on their devices. According to Gallup polls, kids who spend more than three hours a day on social media are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to those who use smartphones less frequently. On average, American teenagers spend nearly five hours a day on social media, as noted by CNN.

Murthy sees the main threat not just in the obvious risk to eyesight but in the impact of social media on children’s development and mental health. However, he acknowledges that social media isn’t entirely negative. It plays a crucial role in self-expression, finding like-minded people, and receiving support, especially for minorities.

Overall, though, restricting social media use has more benefits, contributing to a calmer state of mind and reducing exposure to harmful content.

Some states have already tried to limit social media use. For example, Montana’s Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte banned TikTok a year ago, primarily due to its ties with China and its government. However, a state court ruled that such an order was unconstitutional at the end of last year.

Moreover, in some places, minors cannot legally create social media accounts without parental permission, although enforcement of such laws is often lax.

Murthy’s challenge is that proving the harm from social media is more difficult than proving the health damage caused by smoking. There are fewer scientific studies, which tech company lawyers can use to challenge singling out social media overuse as a harmful habit like smoking and drinking.

Pavel Sharikov, an expert at the Russian International Affairs Council, told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that Murthy’s chances of success are low due to the strong influence of tech lobbyists.

Even Congress is struggling to make social media companies act more responsibly. Politicians face a dilemma: they want to curb the excesses of the global internet but also have to respect the sentiment of the business community, which the West often values more highly than the arguments of state officials. Moreover, Congress recognizes that the tech industry is key to maintaining America’s economic and global leadership.