TikTok logo is displayed on the screen of a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

On cigarette packs and many other things, we see Surgeon General warnings, but one may someday be appearing on all social media platforms.

According to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, it’s time to make that happen. Murthy just released the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health and says social media companies aren’t doing nearly enough to keep their young users safe, and something needs to be done about it.

They say about 95% of kids between the ages of thirteen and seventeen are on social media, and the Department of Health and Human Services announced Dr. Murthy is issuing a “call for urgent action by policymakers, technology companies, researchers, families, and young people alike to discover the full impact of social media use and minimize the harms of social media platforms, and create safer, healthier online environments to protect children.” The key age demographic of “near universal” social media use coincides with “a critical stage in brain development that can make young people more vulnerable to harms from social media,” the agency explains.

Dr. Murthy says in his report, “The most common question parents ask me is, is social media safe for my kids? The answer is that we don’t have enough evidence to say it’s safe, and in fact, there is growing evidence that social media use is associated with harm to young people’s mental health.” He goes on to say, “Children are exposed to harmful content on social media, ranging from violent and sexual content, to bullying and harassment. And social media use is compromising their sleep and valuable in-person time with family and friends.”
The doctor goes on to say, “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.” He also says platforms like TikTok haven’t done enough to ensure kids aren’t exposed to harmful content.

 

New Jersey Seatbelt Crackdown Launches In 134 Communities

New Jersey is cracking down on drivers and passengers who are not wearing seatbelts. The annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign began today (May 22) and runs through June 4. According to The Patch, $800,000 is awarded to local police for enhanced seat belt enforcement.

“Law enforcement agencies take a ‘no-excuses’ approach to seat belt enforcement,” the Attorney General’s office said. The maximum penalty for a seat belt violation in New Jersey is a $46 fine, added AG Matthew Platkin’s office.

“Click It or Ticket” is aimed to help with senseless driving and the safety of drivers and passengers. According to data from the Division of Highway and Traffic Safety, 47% of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing a seat belt. In 2021, 160 unrestrained people died in New Jersey roadway crashes.

“Too many New Jerseyans needlessly lose their lives due to motor vehicle-related fatalities, and reducing these preventable deaths is a top priority for my office,” said Platkin. “Our campaign will help raise awareness of this critical and proven way of preventing serious injury or death in the event of a motor vehicle crash. Seat belts save lives – it’s that simple.”

How Is “Click It or Ticket” funded?

A grant from The Division of Highway and Traffic Safety (HTS) goes to 134 New Jersey law enforcement agencies to fund the campaign, said Attorney General Matthew Platkin, per the outlet. The funds are used for “increased road patrols, seat belt checkpoints, and other enforcement initiatives during the campaign.”

According to officials, last year’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign garnered 8,373 seatbelt violations across the state. 3,315 summonses for speeding were written up, as well as 278 arrests for impaired driving.

“New Jerseyans need to grasp how important it is to buckle up, every time, anywhere you are going,” said Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Taking a few seconds to buckle yourself in reduces your risk of fatal injury in a serious crash by fifty percent. There is no excuse for making the wrong decision, and if you do, you can expect to be pulled over and ticketed.”

Take a look below at which communities are receiving grant money and how much per the AG office:

  • Atlantic County

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    Absecon: $7,000
    Brigantine: $5,250
    Hamilton: $8,750
    Hammonton: $7,000
    Linwood: $7,000
    Longport: $3,500
    Mullica: $7,000
    Northfield: $3,500
    Pleasantville: $4,200
    Ventnor: $4,200

  • Bergen County

    Carlstadt: $7,000
    Elmwood Park: $7,000
    Englewood: $7,000
    Fair Lawn: $7,000
    Fairview: $7,000
    Fort Lee: $8,750
    Garfield: $7,000
    Hackensack: $8,750
    Lodi: $7,000
    North Arlington: $7,000
    Old Tappan: $7,000
    Paramus: $7,000
    River Vale: $7,000

  • Burlington County

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    Burlington Township: $7,000
    Pemberton: $7,000

  • Camden County

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    Gloucester: $8,750
    Haddon Heights: $8,750
    Winslow: $10,500

  • Cape May County

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    Avalon: $7,000
    Lower: $7,000
    Middle: $7,000
    North Wildwood: $7,000
    Wildwood: $7,000
    Wildwood Crest: $7,000

  • Cumberland County

    Vineland: $10,500

  • Essex County

    Belleville: $7,000
    Bloomfield: $7,000
    Glen Ridge: $7,000
    Livingston: $7,000
    Montclair $10,500
    Nutley: $7,000
    South Orange: : $7,000
    West Caldwell: $7,000
    West Orange: $7,000

  • Gloucester County

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    Clayton: $1,400
    Deptford: $7,000
    East Greenwich: $2,800
    Franklin: $5,600
    Glassboro: $8,750
    Greenwich: $1,680
    Harrison: $2,800
    Logan: $7,000
    Mantua: $4,480
    Monroe: $8,750
    Paulsboro $2,800
    Pitman: $2,800
    Rowan University: $4,480
    Washington: $7,000
    Westville: $4,480
    Woodbury; $5,600

  • Hudson County

    Bayonne: $8,750
    Hoboken: $8,750
    North Bergen: $10,500
    Secaucus: $7,000
    Union City: $14,000

  • Hunterdon County

    Hunterdon County, NJ | Official Website

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    Clinton Town: $1,885
    Clinton Township: $,1885
    Flemington: $1,885
    Frenchtown: $1,885
    High Bridge: $1,885
    Holland: $1,885
    Lambertville: $1,885
    Lebanon: $1,885
    Tewksbury: $1,885
    West Amwell: $1,885

  • Mercer County

    Mercer County, NJ | Home

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    East Windsor: $7,000
    Ewing: $7,000
    Hamilton: $8,750
    Hightstown: $7,000
    Hopewell: $7,000
    West Windsor $7,000

  • Middlesex County

    Middlesex County NJ | Home

    From COVID-19 testing and vaccines to access to affordable healthcare to assistance with paying rent, the County has resources to help you care for yourself and your loved ones.

    Carteret: $7,000
    Metuchen: $7,000
    Middlesex Borough: $7,000
    Monroe: 8,750
    North Brunswick: $7,000
    Perth Amboy: $7,000
    Plainsboro: $7,000
    South Brunswick: $7,000

  • Monmouth County

    Monmouth County

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    Colts Neck: $7,000
    Freehold Borough: $7,000
    Freehold Township: $7,000
    Highlands: $7,000
    Howell: $7,000
    Manalapan: $7,000
    Middletown: $7,000

  • Morris County

    Morris County, NJ

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    Boonton Township: $7,000
    Morristown: $7,000
    Parsippany $8,750

  • Ocean County

    Home | Ocean County Government

    On this site you will have quick and convenient access to the host of programs and services offered by the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Whether you are looking for information on senior services, parks and recreation programs or commuter forecasts, just to name a few, this website provides you with updated information on all that Ocean County has to offer.

    Bay Head: $7,000
    Berkeley: $7,000
    Ocean Gate: $7,000
    Lakewood: $10,500
    Point Pleasant Borough: $7,000

  • Passaic County

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    Haledon: $7,000
    Little Falls: $7,000
    Passaic: $10,500
    Paterson: $14,000
    Pompton Lakes: $7,000
    Prospect Park: $7,000
    Woodland Park: $7,000

  • Somerset County

    Somerset County | Home

    Somerset County consists of 21 municipalities in the heart of central New Jersey. It is governed by an elected Board of County Commissioners who include (photo, l-r) Deputy Director Douglas Singleterry, Commissioner Sara Sooy, Director Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Melonie Marano, and Commissioner Paul Drake.

    Bedminster: $1,885
    Bernards: $1,885
    Bernardsville: $1,885
    Bound Brook: $1,885
    Bridgewater: $1,885
    Far Hills: $1,885
    Franklin: $1,885
    Green Brook: $1,885
    Hillsborough: $1,885
    Manville: $1,885
    Montgomery: $1,885
    North Plainfield: $1,885
    Peapack and Gladstone: $1,885
    Raritan: $1,885
    Somerset County Sheriff: $1,885
    South Bound Brook: $1,885
    Warren: $1,885
    Watchung: $1,885

  • Union County

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    Linden: $7,000
    Plainfield: $7,000
    Roselle: $7,000
    Roselle Park: $7,000
    Union: $8,750