Does Science Support Call for Warning Label on Social Media?

NPR AUDIO – BULLSH#T BACKDOWN –

June 20, 2024 – FADEL: Are there things about social media that have been good when it comes to adolescents engagements online there?JENSEN: There certainly are. So, indeed, young people tend to report that their online experiences are more positive than negative, and certain types of engagement on social media are particularly beneficial.

FADEL: So you mentioned that warning labels on the face of it are good in the sense of bringing awareness to issues around a product. But you talked about how complicated this is. Are there interventions here that you think would be more effective than a warning label?

JENSEN: Yeah, so awareness will only get you so far. Young people are pretty aware that there are purported links between social media and mental health. I think that what would be really beneficial to young people and their parents would be some evidence-based guidance on how they can engage online in ways that do work for them. So parents need guidance around how to maximize these potential benefits and minimize the potential harms. They don’t really need another person just telling them to watch out without any guidance on how to do that.