Eric Adams declared this Wednesday that social networks are an "environmental toxin." The mayor of New York stated during his State of the City speech that these platforms are a "public health hazard" and young people must be protected:
Social media companies are fueling a mental health crisis, especially for our young people. But we won't let Big Tech endanger our kids. @NYCHealthCommr Vasan is today issuing an advisory officially designating social media as an environmental toxin in New York City. #SOTC2024
ABC News recalled that the news came after the city reported that the mental health of young New Yorkers "has been declining for over a decade." Specifically, a study carried out with data in 2021 claimed that 77% of high school students in New York spent three or more hours a day in front of screens. This doesn't include the amount of time they spend online doing homework.
For this reason, among others, Adams declared that social networks can pose a danger and stated that platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook and Instagram are "fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features":
We're the first major American city to call out the dangers of social media like this. 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. #SOTC2024
We're the first major American city to call out the dangers of social media like this.
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. #SOTC2024
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 24, 2024
