San Francisco, California, USA: Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organisation focused on enhancing the lives of children and families through the intersection of technology and health, has announced that former U.S. Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy has joined its Board of Directors.
Dr Murthy, who served as the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States from 2015 to 2017 and again from 2021 to 2025, will now collaborate with Common Sense Media in its mission to promote healthier technology use and family well-being.
The San Francisco-based nonprofit is renowned for delivering reliable guidance, educational resources, and an independent perspective. Its tools—including ratings, research, and educational content—reach over 150 million people globally, as well as more than 1.4 million educators and 100,000 schools each year.
During his tenure as Surgeon General, Dr Murthy led numerous initiatives that shaped both national and international health policies. His work has influenced changes across corporate and nonprofit sectors, emphasising holistic approaches to public health.
He has also drawn attention to important, often overlooked health issues, such as the loneliness epidemic, parental mental health, the youth mental health crisis, and burnout among healthcare professionals.
In 2023, while serving as Surgeon General, Dr Murthy issued a public advisory on the impact of social media on young people's mental health. The following year, he advocated for warning labels on addictive social media platforms—topics that align closely with Common Sense Media’s mission.
James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, praised Dr Murthy’s appointment, stating, “With Dr Murthy’s exceptional expertise, we can strengthen our efforts to understand and address the influence of technology on youth mental health.”
Steyer added, “His addition to our leadership team comes at a crucial moment, as insights into technology’s impact on children’s well-being are more important than ever. Dr Murthy’s global experience and knowledge will be invaluable in tackling challenges such as AI, including unsafe AI companion chatbots, which increasingly affect the mental health of children and families both nationally and internationally.”
