New York City declared Wednesday that social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are actually “environmental toxins” that pose a significant “public health hazard” to children in the nation’s biggest city.
“We won’t let Big Tech endanger our kids,” Mayor Adams said during his annual State of the City address.
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 pic.twitter.com/8Rddkzr1hM
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 24, 2024
JUST IN: New York City Mayor Eric Adams has classified social media as a "public health hazard" and an "environmental toxin," saying young people must be protected from "harm" online. https://t.co/DJHS3mRI5t pic.twitter.com/modOt5Spfw
— ABC News (@ABC) January 24, 2024
“We are the first major American city to take this step and call out the danger of social media like this,” the mayor said. “Just as the surgeon general did with tobacco and guns, we are treating social media like other public health hazards and ensuring that tech companies take responsibility for their products.”