New York City Mayor Eric Adams officially declared on Wednesday that social media is an environmental toxin in the city, saying social media companies are fueling a mental health crisis, especially in the youth.
"[NYC Health Commissioner] Vasan is today issuing an advisory officially designating social media as an environmental toxin in New York City. #SOTC2024," Adams posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Worsening Mental Health Among NYC's Youth
New York City becomes the first major American city to spotlight the perils of social media, officially labeling it as an environmental toxin. As per Adams, social media will be addressed as a "public health hazard."
"Just as past U.S. [Surgeon General] did with tobacco and guns, we're treating social media like other public health hazards and ensuring that tech companies take responsibility," the mayor wrote.
An advisory released by the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene of the City of New York highlights the city's commitment to addressing the mental health crisis among its youth, with a particular focus on the impact of social media.
The advisory points out the alarming decline in youth mental health over the past decade, citing increased rates of hopelessness and suicidal ideation.
According to the statistics, between 2011 and 2021, there was a staggering 42% increase in the rates of hopelessness among high school students in NYC, accompanied by a more than 34% rise in suicidal ideation.
Following the presented statistics on the declining mental health in the city, the advisory underscores the escalating and impactful presence of social media in the lives of NYC youth. This trend is particularly pronounced with the introduction of smartphones, algorithmic content targeting, and the monetization of user-generated content.
Statistics from 2021 reveal that a substantial 77% of NYC high school students spent three or more hours each day in front of screens during a typical school day, not including time devoted to schoolwork.
Moreover, a Pew Research Center report published last year reveals that nearly 1 in 5 teens are consistently on platforms like YouTube or TikTok, shedding light on the pervasive influence of a few social media channels in the lives of the rising generation.
The advisory references the U.S. Surgeon General's warning on the potential harm of social media to children and adolescents.
Recommended Preventive Actions
The notice also outlines several proactive measures to address the impact of social media on youth mental health. It encourages adults, including caregivers, educators, and community organizations, to promote responsible social media use through tech-free times, open discussions, and modeling healthy behavior.
Furthermore, it suggests familiarizing with digital citizenship curricula and creating Family Media Plans. Parents are encouraged to delay smartphone access for children, healthcare providers are prompted to discuss social media during visits, and young people are empowered to develop positive social media habits.
Federal and state policymakers are likewise urged to explore and expand existing legislative proposals, aiming to provide enhanced protection for children and youth against predatory practices by social media companies.
For Mayor Adams, social media companies play a significant role and have predatory practices that might endanger the youth.
"We won't let Big Tech endanger our kids," Adams said in his State of the City speech Wednesday.
