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The surgeon general is the \u201cnation\u2019s doctor<\/a>\u201d in the United States. They are tasked with giving Americans the \u201cbest scientific information\u201d about their health.<\/p>\n Late last month, the current US surgeon general, Vivek Murthy,\u00a0warned<\/a>\u00a013 is too young to join social media. He said it poses a risk to young people\u2019s \u201cself-worth and their relationships\u201d, adding: Major social media platforms, including\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0TikTok<\/a>, require users to be at least 13. This includes those in Australia and New Zealand. For many parents, schools and cybersafety experts, this minimum age has become something of a benchmark. Many assume it comes with the implicit assurance social media platforms are appropriate and safe for children once they turn 13. Conversely, they also assume they are unsafe for children under 13.<\/p>\n But this is not necessarily the case.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When I speak with kids & parents about #YouthMentalHealth<\/a>, the number one question I get is if social media is harming our kids. Based on the data I\u2019ve seen and the conversations I\u2019ve had, I believe 13 is too young for our kids to start using social media. https:\/\/t.co\/vpBEcWySFc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) February 3, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nI, personally, based on the data I\u2019ve seen, believe that 13 is too early [\u2026] the skewed and often distorted environment of social media often does a disservice to many of those children.<\/em>
\nIs 13 too young? What should parents think about when it comes to their kids and social media accounts?<\/p>\nWhy are we talking about 13?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nThis minimum age requirement stems from\u00a01998 US legislation<\/a>\u00a0which banned the collection of children\u2019s personal data without parental consent.<\/p>\n\n