Social media has officially been declared a health threat in New York City.
During his State of the City address, New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed that Dr. Ashwin Vasan the Health Commissioner made the declaration. Mayor Adams also went on to ask state and federal lawmakers to put in more effort to avoid any “predatory practices of certain social media companies,” ABC7NY reports.
“We need to protect our students from harm online, including the growing dangers presented by social media. Companies like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook are fueling a mental health crisis by designing their platforms with addictive and dangerous features. We cannot stand by and let Big Tech monetize our children’s privacy and jeopardize their mental health,” Mayor Adams said.
Mayor Adams also talked about affordable housing, Public Safety, and green initiatives while speaking from Hostos Community College’s Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture in the Bronx.
“The state of our city is strong – far stronger than it was when we came into office,” Adams said. “New York City is becoming a place where everyone has the opportunity to make it, and the future-focused vision we laid out today will build on all that we have delivered for New Yorkers by investing in public safety, public spaces, and the working people who make New York City the greatest city in the world.”
He added and recognized that there is still work that needs to be done. What are your thoughts on this?