Posted on 01/25/2024 5:23:53 PM PST by Libloather
The mayor of New York City has officially declared social media an 'environmental toxin' and 'public health hazard' in the same category as tobacco and guns.
In an advisory released Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams criticized TikTok, YouTube and Facebook, blaming them for the mental health crisis plaguing tens of millions of children in the US — with rates of teen depression hitting their highest levels in a decade in the latest surveys.
In the declaration, city officials called on parents to impose 'tech-free times' for children and urged teens to consider turning off their notifications and tracking their emotions while online.
Evidence has been mounting for years that social media is detrimental to the mental health of children and teens, with its highly sophisticated algorithms exposing them to posts depicting unrealistic beauty and body standards and promoting self-harm content to users.
Earlier this year, Montana became the first US state to ban TikTok over these concerns and fears about its links to China, with lawmakers now pushing for the same order nationwide. Meta, which owns Facebook, is currently being sued by 33 states for 'contributing to the youth mental health crisis'.
Mayor Adams said online: 'Social media companies are fueling a mental health crisis, especially for our young people. But we won't let Big Tech endanger our kids.
'New York City's health commissioner is today issuing an advisory officially designating social media as an environmental toxin.'
He added: 'Just as the past US Surgeon General did with tobacco and guns, we're treating social media like other public health hazards and ensuring that tech companies take responsibility.'
He linked to the advisory from New York City health commissioner Dr Ashwin Vasan, which gave parents nine points on how to protect their children from social media.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I tend to agree regarding Tic tok and Instagram. But still, it’s a free country.
Shut it down for one week a month.
I would agree that Socialist Media definitely is!................
Is it worse than soft drinks in a jumbo sized cup?
I would say the most current local and the national government is.
Translation….
The communist in New York City Declares “Free Speech” a threat to their rule.
Actually, the TRUTH is a threat to their rule.
Thanks again Elon.👍
Social media didn’t turn New York City into a crime-ridden $hithole. Democrats did that all on their little own.
Yep
If I were a kid and saw our porridge-brained dementia saddled fake president who can barely talk when putting a few mumbo-jumbo syllables together I’d be depressed for the future too. And 5,000 other things.
When WHO tries to take control see how fast they try to clamp down on this digital pandemic deciding who can and who cant and for how long.
Well, it has less sugar. 😁
I don’t know but it seems a little bit against freedom of speech.
“ we’re treating social media like other public health hazards and ensuring that tech companies take responsibility.’”
Reading between the lines, social media is as bad as Big Tobacco. A big monetary settlement needs to be reached so the city can wallow a bit longer in its bloated budget mess.
EC
Right idea - wrong platforms. I would think Tinder, Grindr, and other “dating” sites fit the public health hazard description better.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.