Today's Article

"I'm very concerned now that social media is an important factor that is driving this youth mental health crisis."

The advisory 5details studies linking social media to 6depression and anxiety, poor sleep, online 7harassment, and 8low self-esteem.

"This is a 9real point of concern here - when nearly half of kids are telling us that social media use makes them feel worse."

Dr. Murthy is calling for more research into the impact of social media and he's calling on 10policymakers and tech companies to 11take action.

"This is 12pervasive. It is everywhere. And that's why it is so important that we support parents."

The White House is doing just that, mobilizing an interagency task force to 13identify current and emerging risks. The task force will also develop guidelines for tracking and preventing those risks.

"Over the last year, we're seeing searches like how much 14screen time is too much for my kids or how do I keep my kids safe online increased by over 200%."

Google, meanwhile, is among the tech companies that say they have developed tools to help parents including the ability to set hard screen time limits.

"Actually setting up some hard limits help enable your kids to, you know, have a chance to 15wind down and have 16restorative sleep which is so 17critical for 18adolescent development."