Yesterday, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy sent a DM to the nation, saying social media poses a “profound risk of harm” to kids and teens’ well-being. For years, there’s been notification after notification about social media’s potential effects on mental health — especially among children and teens, whose brains are still developing and more vulnerable to social media’s addictive features. The report found that up to 95% of America’s teens have a social media account. More than a third of them say they’re double-tapping, posting, or streaming “almost constantly.” Now, Murthy said all this scrolling has contributed to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem for most teens.
What'd he recommend?
In his advisory, Murthy called on lawmakers, tech companies, and parents to put better safety standards in place to help protect kids. He encouraged lawmakers to set minimum age requirements on social media access — something Utah already plans on implementing — and to develop safeguards for issues like cyberbullying.It urged tech companies to investigate the impact of their products and design algorithms that prioritize health and safety. Murthyalso calledon families to create “tech-free zones”and reportinstances of cyberbullying or online harassment to their local law enforcement or child's school. The advisory is just a recommendation that doesn’t hold lawmakers or tech companies responsible for making changes.
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Researchers still don’t have a full-screen grasp on the harms of social media use on teen mental health. However, recent studies found that the risks may be outweighing the likes. Now, the surgeon general is saying it's time for platforms and lawmakers to put teens' health first.
HIV infections. Yesterday, the CDC reported a 12% decrease in new HIV infections across the US. Between 2017 and 2021, white gay and bisexual men ages 13 to 24 saw a 45% drop in new infections. Black and Hispanic men saw a 27% and 36% drop, respectively. The CDC blamed “systemic inequities” and gaps in access to HIV prevention medication like PrEP for health disparities. Today, about 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the US — with the majority of new cases in the South. Of those infected, 1 in 8 don't know they are. The CDC’s director says “efforts must be accelerated and strengthened” for progress to be made. Now, health officials say they’re working on a campaign to educate gay and bisexual Black and Hispanic men in the South on PrEP.
Money Matters: As health officials push for more testing and access to PrEP, their efforts could be jeopardized. The looming debt ceiling agreement could cut public health funding for testing, while a federal court could change whether insurance companies cover PrEP at no cost.
Where lawmakers have doubled down…
South Carolina. Yesterday, the state’s Senate passed a six-week abortion ban — before most women know they are pregnant. There are some exceptions for rape, incest, and if the mother’s life is in danger. Five female senators, including three Republicans, filibustered the bill but failed to block it. State Sen. Katrina Shealy (R) said “we need to let people make decisions for themselves.” Now, South Carolina is set to join at least a dozen states that ban abortion at six weeks. Gov. Henry Mcmaster (R-SC) said he plans to sign the bill. Abortion-rights advocates have said they will challenge the ban in court.
What people are remembering…
Uvalde, TX. Today marks one year since a gunman shot and killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School. It was one of the worst shootings in Texas history and the second-deadliest school shooting in the US. Since the deadly massacre, parents are still waiting for officials and the district attorney to release their reports on why it took police 77 minutes to confront the attacker. As for gun laws in Texas, little has changed even as parents of the victims advocate. The state has seen at least 17 mass shootings so far this year. Meanwhile, one report found that state legislators across the country have passed more laws expanding gun access than gun control measures since the attack. A group supporting the families of the victims is holding a vigil in Uvalde today.
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We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Feeling chef…Kristen D (MD). She is quitting her full-time job to attend a culinary school. Kristen hopes to finish in two years and start her own business.
(Some) Birthdays…Dr. Arielle Haves Bayer (NY), Cole Wasserstrum (NY), Peri Labovitz (GA), Jill Chittum (KS), Julianne Salt (NY), Jacklyn Howland (IN), Cristin Haught (NV), Madeline Brian (CA), Samantha Parker (VA), Eileen Papa (NY), Wayne Orshak (NJ), Alexandra Geer (MA), Jennifer Hilinski (KY), Diane Diniz (CA), Reena Kankaria TX)
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Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Melanie De Lima, Anacaona Rodriguez Martinez, Chantal Vaca, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Mariza Smajlaj
