Surgeon General urges tech giants to match Meta's child-screen safety pledge

Surgeon General Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos told one outlet that after Meta consented to a settlement involving up to $18 billion and stricter child-safety rules for Facebook and Instagram, other large tech firms should follow suit to shield children from excessive screen use. Speaking at a Department of Health and Human Services "Live Real Life" symposium with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, she cited data showing 16-year-olds spend roughly 8.5 hours daily on screens while only one-quarter of high-schoolers meet the recommended hour of exercise.

Haridopolos warned that prolonged screen exposure is linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, obesity, cyberbullying, neurocognitive delays, vision problems and lower academic performance. She praised President Joe Biden’s surgeon general Vivek Murthy for urging congressional warning labels and argued that regulations should address all screens, not just social media. The surgeon general also noted that adults face similar challenges and urged schools to prioritize hands-on activities over early tablet use to promote healthier development.