Senators express support for social media warning labels

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Many senators on Capitol Hill are fired up after seeing the Surgeon General’s op-ed on social media warning labels.

“Social media as designed today is a dangerous product,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Senator Graham says it’s about time Congress takes action against the dangers of social media.

“I totally support what he’s saying,” Graham said.

The only way to implement warning labels of any kind is through Congressional action, and Graham says the numbers justify it.

“We’ve seen suicide rates among teenage girls go fairly dramatically. Depression among the younger population,” Graham said.

He’s not alone. Some Democrats, such as, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), see this as an opportunity for Congress to do something.

“We have to keep trying. And I think that the Surgeon General’s approach is a good step,” Gillibrand said.

Gillibrand is also pushing for regulation because of criminal organizations that target kids online, by posing as young girls and soliciting nude photos for ransom.

“And say, we’re going to publish these if you don’t give us money. And one young boy, 17-year-old, just succumbed to suicide because of it,” Gillibrand said.

In his three years in the role, the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has spoken with lawmakers on social media dangers. This week he stated he wants Congress to take the next step and not just verbally support his call for warning labels.

“What we have to do is finish the deal. You’ve got to, like, get something across the line and actually implement it,” said Murthy.

Even with Congressional approval, tech companies would likely challenge warning labels in court.

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