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Q1. In an op-ed published Monday, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrote: "The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency — and social media has emerged as an important contributor."
He cited research saying that among adolescents, 3 hrs/day on social media doubles the risk of anxiety and depression, while the average use in this age group is 4.8 hrs/day.
Is there a youth mental health crisis, and if so, is social media a big factor?
He cited research saying that among adolescents, 3 hrs/day on social media doubles the risk of anxiety and depression, while the average use in this age group is 4.8 hrs/day.
Is there a youth mental health crisis, and if so, is social media a big factor?
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Is a mental health crisis, social media big factor
85%
84%
87%
85%
82%
86%
89%
84%
83%
86%
85%
Is crisis, social media not big factor
8%
7%
8%
6%
11%
9%
10%
8%
8%
6%
8%
Not a crisis
4%
7%
2%
8%
4%
1%
0%
5%
6%
5%
4%
Don't know
3%
2%
3%
1%
3%
4%
0%
3%
3%
4%
3%
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Q2. Murthy wrote: "It is time to require a surgeon general’s warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents."
"A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior."
Which reflect your views? (check all that apply)
"A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior."
Which reflect your views? (check all that apply)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
I approve warning labels on social media
71%
67%
74%
64%
68%
78%
76%
64%
71%
73%
71%
Do not
19%
23%
14%
27%
19%
10%
15%
23%
19%
16%
19%
Labels would reduce social media usage
24%
23%
24%
16%
21%
33%
39%
21%
18%
24%
24%
Would not
56%
57%
53%
68%
57%
42%
44%
65%
57%
50%
56%
Congress will approve labels within 5 years
36%
37%
35%
39%
35%
33%
30%
28%
41%
40%
36%
Will not
32%
33%
28%
32%
30%
32%
38%
40%
25%
25%
32%
Don't know
12%
8%
17%
10%
10%
15%
12%
14%
12%
10%
12%
Don't care
1%
2%
0%
1%
2%
0%
0%
2%
1%
1%
Q3. Murthy argued that as a society we didn't accept high auto fatalities, but instead mandated seatbelts and airbags. That we didn't accept airplane risk, grounding 170 planes after a door plug came off. And didn't accept food contamination risk, recalling dairy products when listeria claimed two lives earlier this year.
He concludes that we likewise should not accept the risk of social media when it is no less urgent or widespread than that posed by unsafe cars, planes, or food.
Do you agree social media poses the same risk as that posed by unsafe cars, planes, or food?
He concludes that we likewise should not accept the risk of social media when it is no less urgent or widespread than that posed by unsafe cars, planes, or food.
Do you agree social media poses the same risk as that posed by unsafe cars, planes, or food?
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Yes
49%
45%
54%
44%
51%
54%
30%
50%
53%
61%
49%
No
39%
47%
32%
47%
41%
31%
49%
40%
39%
28%
39%
Don't know
11%
8%
15%
9%
8%
15%
21%
10%
8%
9%
11%
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
In May 2023, 67% thought Murthy's Surgeon General's Advisory on the risks of social meda was warranted though another 28% thought social media is a problem.
97% thought the rise of US high school students who said they felt 'persistent sadness of hopelessness from 26% in 2009 to to 44% in 2021 to be worrisome. Half said it was primarily due to social media.
15% said the advisory would hurt social media revenue, 27% said it would help mental health among young people.
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