Warning: Books Are Good For You

 

 

The United States Surgeon General wants warning labels slapped across social media sites, advising parents and users that using such platforms might damage the mental health and well-being of adolescents. I say go for it! Do something similar for books, too.

Social media is a playground for bullies, narcissists, and people trying to scam you, sell something, or to push a social or political agenda without facts or substance. Teens are vulnerable and fragile. Protect them! 

The big issue: teens spend way too much time online. A recent Gallup Poll shows they spend an average of 4.8 hours a day on social media! When do they sleep, socialize in person, talk to parents, play sports, read books, or just allow themselves to disengage and just dream, imagine, think, and create? 

Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General made good points in a NYT op-ed this week: 

“Legislation from Congress should shield young people from online harassment, abuse and exploitation and from exposure to extreme violence and sexual content that too often appears in algorithm-driven feeds. The measures should prevent platforms from collecting sensitive data from children and should restrict the use of features like push notifications, auto play and infinite scroll, which prey on developing brains and contribute to excessive use. 

“Additionally, companies must be required to share all of their data on health effects with independent scientists and the public - currently they do not — and allow independent safety audits. While the platforms claim they are making their products safer, Americans need more than words. We need proof.” 

Whereas social media produces anxiety and stress, books can relax us. 

Maybe something like a warning should be done by authors and publishers with their books. Put a sticker on a book that says: “Warning: Consuming This Book Might Inform, Inspire, Enlighten, or Empower Readers.” 

 

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Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over 3.9 million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.