© 2025 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

U.S. Surgeon General calls for warning labels on social media

Ways To Subscribe
River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

Last month, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to implement warning labels on social media platforms.

More than three hours a day on social media doubles the risk of mental health concerns, and young people are especially susceptible.

On this episode of River to River, host Ben Kieffer is joined by psychology scholars and researchers Doug Gentile and Patrick Bender. They discuss the known relationship between social media and mental health.

Then Tess Klygis of The Log Off Movement joins the program. The Log Off Movement is a youth-led initiative aimed at helping those feeling the adverse effects of social media.

Guests:

  • Doug Gentile, distinguished professor of psychology, Iowa State University
  • Patrick Bender, associate professor in developmental and media psychology, Aalborg University
  • Tess Klygis, director of press relations, The Log Off Movement
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Caitlin Troutman is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewell College. Since 2022, Troutman has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Madeleine Willis is IPR's Production Assistant supporting the talk shows and The Sunny Side Project. Willis has experience in audio production, reporting, writing and editing stories and conversations. She's reported and produced conversations on womanhood, sports, and good news from across Iowa. Willis will receive her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in May 2025.