New York City Mayor Eric Adams has designated social media to be a "public health hazard" comparable to alcohol or tobacco.
Adams announced the designation during his State of the City address on Wednesday.
On the day of the address, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan issued a Health Commissioner’s Advisory "identifying unfettered access to and use of social media as a public health hazard, just as past U.S. surgeons general have done with tobacco and firearms," Adams explained. Social media companies are fueling a mental health crisis, especially for our young people. But we won't let Big Tech endanger our kids.@NYCHealthCommr Vasan is today issuing an advisory officially designating social media as an environmental toxin in New York City. #SOTC2024 pic.twitter.com/8Rddkzr1hM
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 24, 2024
Adams called out several companies by name, saying that we "need to protect our students from harm online, including the growing dangers presented by social media. Companies like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features. We cannot stand by and let Big Tech monetize our children’s privacy and jeopardize their mental health."
"We are the first major American city to take this step and call out the danger of social media like this," Adams said. "Just as the surgeon general did with tobacco and guns, we are treating social media like other public health hazards and ensuring that tech companies take responsibility for their products. You’ll be hearing more about this soon." NYC Mayor Eric Adams issues a health advisory about social media, comparing it to tobacco and guns
"We're treating social media like other public health hazards, and it must stop" pic.twitter.com/5jo0FhD9hw
— The Messenger (@TheMessenger) January 25, 2024
The advisory asserts that youth mental health in NYC has been declining for over a decade.
"Rates of NYC high schoolers experiencing hopelessness increased by over 42% between 2011 and 2021, and rates of suicidal ideation increased by more than 34%," the advisory states. "According to the most recent data in 2021, 38% of NYC high schoolers felt so sad or hopeless during the past year that they stopped engaging in their usual activities. Young people who identify as Black, Latino, female or LGBTQ+ bear disproportionately high rates of experiencing hopelessness."
The advisory asked that adults who interact with children and youth "take opportunities to promote use of social media in a manner that is protective of youth mental health."
It suggested implementing tech-free times and places "in relevant settings that encourage in-person connection," discussing social media use in an open-minded way with children, "providing support when they identify concerns," and "modeling healthy social media use, including sharing use practices and how to be thoughtful with use."
Additionally, the advisory said that "Federal and state policymakers should consider building on existing legislative proposals to further protect children and youth from predatory practices by social media companies," and "all New Yorkers should advocate to hold social media companies accountable and advance reform that protects youth from harmful and predatory practices."
