By Ibrahim Aksoy
March 29, 2026 / 3:33 PM EDT / CBS News
Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams said social media platforms are “specifically designed to addict” adolescents and teenagers, comparing their marketing and design to how cigarette manufacturers targeted young users in the past, and argued for regulation to reflect that danger.
Adams cited Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s 2023 report, saying there is “increasing and very valid evidence” linking social media use at younger ages to rising anxiety and depression, reduced sleep — which contributes to mental health problems — and obesity. Murthy urged tech companies and lawmakers to take “immediate action” to protect young people from “addictive apps and extreme and inappropriate content” on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
“Similar to cigarettes,” Adams said, the government needs to “point out the fact that these substances, meaning social media platforms, are incredibly addictive.” He added that recent lawsuits allege platforms were deliberately designed to addict children, echoing past tactics by tobacco companies.
A landmark California jury found Meta and YouTube liable for creating platforms that knowingly caused mental-health related harm to a young user, awarding the plaintiff known as Kaley G.M. $3 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages. A New Mexico jury also found Meta violated the state’s consumer protection law over child exploitation claims, imposing a $375 million penalty. Both Meta and YouTube told CBS News they plan to appeal.
Pointing to Australia’s ban barring users under 16 from accessing social media, Adams said courts holding companies accountable could prompt more U.S. states to enact restrictions on social media and cell phone use in classrooms. He noted roughly 25 states are discussing or have laws aimed at keeping phones and social media out of schools and urged policymakers to confront the harms of unfettered screen time for children.