Social media can have "profoundly harmful effects" for children and young people. To launch the alarm is the "Surgeon General", the head of public health USA Vivek H. Murthy. In a 19-page report he explained that there is not enough evidence to determine whether social media is safe enough for younger people, but instead "there are broad indicators that they can present a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents." Murthy called on policymakers, tech companies, researchers and parents to "act urgently" to protect themselves from potential dangers. "Adolescents are not just younger adults," he said, "They are at a different stage of development, and at a critical stage of brain development."

The report found that "frequent use of social media may be associated with changes in the amygdala (the area of the brain that handles emotions) and prefrontal cortex (important for impulse control, moderation of social behavior), and could increase sensitivity to social rewards and punishments."

In addition, the dossier cited research that found that up to 95 percent of teens said they use at least one social media platform, while more than a third said they use social media "almost constantly." In addition, almost 40% of children between the ages of 8 and 12 use social media, although the minimum age required for most sites is 13.

The head of the Federal Office of Public Health has issued an official notice stressing there is a specific link between time spent on social media and depression and anxiety.

Hence the call for "urgent action by politicians, tech companies, researchers, families and young people to achieve a better understanding of the full impact of social media use, maximise the benefits and minimise the harms of social media platforms, and create safer and healthier online environments to protect children".
The Surgeon General's initiative is part of President Biden's broader program to enhance mental health care for all Americans.