Commentary: Can social media warning labels and school cell phone bans help youth mental health?

. This recent call follows an earlier advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, also published by the Surgeon General.

Although these efforts are well-intentioned, and seek to support youth, research supporting these practices is still unsettled. As researchers in child development and psychology, we feel it is essential to review related research and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of smartphone bans and social media health warnings.Our research shows that greater screen time is associated with negative physical, behavioural and cognitive outcomes.

In contrast, banning smartphones in school could have detrimental impacts for some youth. For example, LGBTQ+ youth use social media to form a community where they can get support, share information, and develop their identity. Limiting access to a space where they can feel safe and feel like they belong could exacerbate their mental health difficulties.The efficacy of warning labels depends on the form they take. Research suggests that warning labels that promote safe use are more effective.

Although social media labels might not directly dissuade young users from high consumption, they may do so indirectly, via greater parental oversight. Indeed, parents might be more likely to set limits knowing that there is evidence that the product their child or adolescent is using is associated with some risks.

Importantly, it doesn’t address many root problems of mental health difficulties in youth, such as cyberbullying.

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