The Surgeon General's office issued a stark warning Wednesday about the dangers of excessive screen time for young people, linking heavy device use to worsened sleep, anxiety, depression and alcohol use. The advisory calls on children and adolescents to "live real life" and spend time outdoors, while urging parents to delay screen time "as long as possible." It highlights social media platforms as a top concern, but also points to AI chatbots and gambling platforms as part of the "digital ecosystem" driving concerning usage.

The report recommends schools ban phones during classes and that doctors ask about screen use during annual checkups. Starting around age 8, children spend an average of four or more hours per day on screens. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will unveil the report at an event in Iowa, where a law enacted last year limited cellphone use in schools. The advisory notes young people can also reap benefits from time online, such as new friendships.

The Surgeon General position has remained empty since January 2025, with the Trump administration withdrawing its first two nominees. Some researchers question the advisory's certainty, noting studies suggest children already struggling with mental health issues are more likely to spend time online—rather than screen time causing those problems. The report was written by staffers including Kennedy's close adviser Stefanie Spear and Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, who will now assume some surgeon general duties.