Warning labels could help regulate social media. But will it make us healthier

A call for warning labels on social media platforms from U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., represents a major shift in how social media is viewed from a public health perspective. It's the first time social media has been equated with harmful substances like tobacco in terms of health risks. The move signals that social media's impact on mental health, especially for youth, is now considered a serious public health concern.

By reporting on this story, we can explore a complex issue that affects millions of users, particularly young people, and potentially reshape how we interact with social media platforms.

Studies show adolescents who spend more than three hours daily on social media face double the risk of mental health issues - and the average daily social media use among adolescents was nearly five hours as of summer 2023. And nearly half of adolescents report that social media makes them feel worse about their bodies.

This story touches on multiple beats. It highlights the growing debate around technology's impact on society and individual well-being. The proposal suggests increasing regulation and oversight of social media companies, raising questions about the role of the government in regulating digital spaces.

If implemented, this proposal could have far-reaching effects on the tech industry. It may require social media companies to significantly alter their platforms and business models. Which platforms are willing to prioritize user well-being over engagement metrics by eliminating features designed to be addictive? This is not meant to be a rhetorical question, though maybe a story idea.

Do warning labels even work?

While the surgeon general's call for warning labels on social media platforms is a significant step, the effectiveness of such labels remains a complex issue.

Surgeon general warning labels on cigarettes have been effective at raising awareness of health risks and influencing cognitions around smoking. However, their direct impact on changing smoking behavior appears more limited. They are most effective as part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy rather than as a standalone intervention.

It seems warning labels on social media could have a similar public health impact.

Research on misinformation warning labels suggests they can be effective in reducing belief in and spread of false information, which is a major public health concern. However, these studies primarily focus on content-specific warnings rather than general platform warnings that the surgeon general is calling for. For example, a study on COVID-19 vaccine misinformation found that warning labels disputing the misinformation on a social media post can effectively reduce the perceived credibility of the post. However, the study also found that people who are more hesitant about vaccines are still likely to view misinformation as credible, even when it's flagged.

The visibility of labels significantly affects their impact. A study conducted by Harvard researchers on warning labels about state-funded media disinformation found that warnings placed within video frames were more effective than those placed below content. And warning labels are only effective if users notice and absorb the information. The same study found that changing the color of a label from light gray to blue increased user awareness by 15 percentage points.

Still, some experts warn that people may become desensitized to warning labels, as they are ever-present in many aspects of life.

While warning labels may raise awareness and combat our infodemic, they may not address broader mental health challenges associated with social media use. Some mental health professionals advocate for a more comprehensive strategy. This plan would involve collaboration between health care professionals and educators to teach digital literacy and healthy online habits early and often. Without some form of regulation, it's hard to ensure that social media companies would proactively mitigate negative impacts on mental health, particularly for young users.

While warning labels may have some positive impact, their effectiveness on social media platforms remains uncertain. Implementing designs tailored to different age groups could be more effective than general warnings. Stricter privacy settings by default could also help protect users, especially younger ones.