New York City Becomes First City to Declare Social Media as Public Health Hazard

The following is excerpted from an online article posted by Firstpost.

New York City has become the first American city to classify social media as a ‘public health hazard’ and an ‘environmental toxin’. The move has once again put the spotlight on the risks that platforms such as Facebook, X, and Instagram pose to young minds.

Smoking is dangerous to health. And now, so is social media. At least, according to New York mayor Eric Adams, who has classified social media as a “public health hazard” and an “environmental toxin,” saying young people must be protected from “harm” online.

New York City has become the first major city in the United States to take such a step, drawing people’s attention to just how harmful and dangerous social media can be for children. New York City Mayor Eric Adams on January 25 issued an advisory officially designating social media as an environmental toxin.

“Companies like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features,” Adams said in the annual State of the City address.

Source: Firstpost
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/new-york-city-social-media-facebook-snapchat-instagram-x-meta-public-health-hazard-is-it-that-harmful-13665712.html