.png)
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, joined by 41 other state attorneys general, is urging congressional leaders to pass critical legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. This call to action comes as concerns continue to mount over the impact of social media on the mental health of young Americans.
Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating, "Research increasingly shows a connection between social media use among youth and significant psychological harm. We are calling on Congress to implement a U.S. Surgeon General warning on these platforms to raise awareness about the risks these platforms pose to young people and to bolster ongoing efforts to enhance oversight and accountability within the industry."
The bipartisan coalition of attorneys general highlighted the growing body of evidence linking algorithm-driven social media to adverse mental health effects, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among children and teens. The letter to Congress details how features such as endless scrolling, algorithmic recommendations, and incessant notifications are designed to keep users—especially vulnerable young people—constantly engaged, often at the expense of healthy activities such as sleep, exercise, and in-person social interactions.
Attorney General Moody has already taken decisive action against social media giants, filing a lawsuit against Meta in October 2023. While these state-led efforts represent significant progress, the attorneys general underscored the necessity for federal legislation, noting that "social media platforms have demonstrated an unwillingness to fix the problem on their own."
For more information about this initiative and ongoing efforts to safeguard our youth, visit Florida Attorney General's website.