ADL Statement on Surgeon General's Call for Warning Label on Social Media

New York, NY, June 17, 2024 ... ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today praised the U.S. Surgeon General's call for a warning label on social media platforms, saying that it was a welcome development that health professions are working alongside researchers, policymakers and advocates in thinking creatively about helping targets of online hate and harassment.

Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director, issued the following statement:

"The Surgeon General’s call for a warning on social media is right: these platforms often seem like drugs, designed to hook users, create a dependency, and alter behavior – often for the worse. A warning label would dramatically highlight that hate and harassment is rampant on social media platforms, and teens are a particularly vulnerable group. It’s a welcome development that health professionals like Dr. Murthy are working alongside researchers, policymakers, and advocates in thinking creatively about helping targets of hate and harassment online."  

A new ADL survey showed that 50 percent of teens experienced hate and harassment online. Additionally, 59 percent of teens are worried about being harassed, threatened or otherwise targeted online. Teens are also more likely to agree or strongly agree that content that expresses hate (76 percent) or that encourages violence against a person or group because of their identity (79 percent) should be banned.

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.