US surgeon general issues advisory on ‘profound’ risks of child social media use

Dr Vivek Murthy calls on tech companies and policymakers to take immediate action' to protect children's mental health

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Social media use by children and teenagers can pose a profound risk of harm" to their mental health and wellbeing, the US surgeon general is warning.

In a new advisory released on Tuesday, Dr Vivek Murthy calls on tech companies, policymakers and parents to take immediate action to protect kids now". He says that in the absence of robust independent research it is impossible to know whether social media is safe for children and adolescents.