Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a bipartisan group of 42 attorneys general, is urging Congress to implement a U.S. Surgeon General warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms.
This push comes in response to growing concerns about the negative effects these platforms have on the mental health of young people.
The coalition’s letter to Congress points to extensive research linking social media use with conditions such as depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and even suicidal ideation among children and teens.
Raoul emphasized that many platforms, such as those owned by Meta (Facebook and Instagram), employ features specifically designed to increase addiction, such as infinite scrolling, constant notifications, and targeted recommendations.
These features often disrupt sleep, academic performance, and other healthy behaviors, keeping users, particularly young people, perpetually engaged.
This is not Raoul’s first action on the matter. In 2023, he joined a lawsuit against Meta, accusing the company of harmful practices aimed at children.
He has also led initiatives advocating for stricter rules under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Despite these efforts, Raoul and the coalition argue that federal action is urgently needed, as social media platforms have shown little interest in self-regulating the harm they cause.
