Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has called on Congress to require warning labels on social media in a way similar to what is mandatory on cigarette boxes, and I support him on this one.

Keep in mind, I am not a fan of excessive government regulation. At the federal level alone, more than 70 federal regulatory agencies currently exist, employing hundreds of thousands of people to write and implement regulations. They issue 3,500 new rules every year, and the regulatory code now is more than 168,000 pages long. So, do we need another one? In the case of social media, the answer is yes.

Think about it. Car seats and baby formula are regulated, and I still won’t tear the tag off my pillow because it says I cannot do so “under penalty of law.” Not everyone follows the rules, but many do. Warning consumers — including our youth — about the perils of social media will help, and we simply can’t trust the big tech companies to regulate themselves.

Here is what U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy stated in an advisory in 2023: “Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment. And, for too many children, social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends. We are in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is an important driver of that crisis — one that we must urgently address.”

And here is what he wrote recently in an opinion piece in The New York Times: “It is time to require a surgeon general's warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents. A surgeon general's warning label, which requires congressional action, would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proved safe. Evidence from tobacco studies show that warning labels can increase awareness and change behavior."

Social media is used by most all young people, with up to 95% of those 13-17 years old reporting using a social media platform and more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly.” Recent research shows that adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media (and they nearly all do) face double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Will a warning label cure all the problems? No. But I have no doubt it will help.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

CENTER STAGE
From opera to chamber to children’s, stage music beckons

By John Busbee

Baritone Justin Austin (who debuts the role of Thomas McKeller in “American Apollo” in this world premiere) posing with the original John Singer Sargent sketches in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Photo credit: Ben Easter
Let the month of June be proclaimed as Cultural Adventurer Month for those seeking new works, spine-tingling performances and a diverse and immersive offering of stage works. The venerable Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO), with its world-renowned Summer Festival, has the opera world chattering about their boldly seductive season. Iowa Stage Theatre Company brings a new musical experience to its stage. And Pyramid Theatre Company returns with an irresistibly soul-searching world premiere. Fill your calendar with these and other productions that await.

The Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) has established an international reputation that few peer companies can match. National critics from publications like The Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times frequently travel to DMMO to review the lineup of operas for every summer festival season.

[...]

“Unfrosted” (streaming)
I was never much of a Seinfeld fan, but I will give him credit for putting together an enormous cast of comedic actors and actresses in this dreadfully unfunny comedy about the creation of the Pop-Tart. What was most amazing is how unfunny some of these funny people can be. Seinfeld’s name obviously drew this great cast of actors and actresses, but it was all a waste with a dumb story and poor execution. It is just flat out not funny. Grade: D

By Michael C. Woody. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986 and can be heard talking movies every Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on KXn0 106.3 with Keith Murphy and Andy Fales. You can also follow him on Twitter @MrMovieDSM. 

Addressing food insecurity
Volunteering fills Crew’s cup.

By Lindsey Giardino

Since retiring in May 2022, Dan Crew has focused most of his volunteer work on addressing food insecurity in central Iowa.

He serves West Des Moines Human Services as an advisory board member and is a regular food pantry volunteer and an occasional food rescue fill-in. He also helps with the organization’s special events, like its winter coat and school supply drives, as well as the holiday adopt-a-family program.

“I knew I wanted to get involved with West Des Moines Human Services since West Des Moines has been my home for so many years,” Crew says. “It’s the pantry that serves the neighbors in our ‘backyard,’ and I’ve been proud of the work they accomplish and the help they consistently provide.”

[...]

Happy Birthday Bob Wiley!

These celebrities were born on this date:  Paul McCartney · Carol Kane · Ray LaMontagne · Chris Van Allsburg · Dan O'Brien · Jeanette MacDonald · John Eaton • Josh Dun • Blake Shelton • Bailey Bass • Richard Madden • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang • Jack Barakat

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What do they call the new diuretic wine? PINOT MORE! - Mike Chiston, Carolyn Rogers, Randy Lagerblade, Gail Tomlinson. Other answers from William Snyder

Today's riddle

What kind of wine do they serve at the horse races?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Waukee, Norwalk or West Des Moines/Jordan Creek Living magazines, contact:

Martha Munro
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 314
Mobile: 515-321-5246
martha@iowalivingmagazines.com

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