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Utah child social media laws overview:
- Who: The state of Utah has passed laws that will limit access to social media platforms for users under the age of 18.
- Why: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said the legislation is being passed to “protect our young people” from social media platforms he called “toxic.”
- Where: Utah.
Utah has become the first state in the US to enact legislation that will limit access to social media platforms for children and teens who do not have parental consent.
Gov. Spencer Cox signed two bills into law earlier this month that are collectively aimed at limiting when and where a minor can interact online, and stopping social media companies from targeting them.
The laws will go into effect on March 1 of next year, at which time social media companies will be required to verify the age of any Utah resident attempting to maintain or open a new social media account.
Social media companies will also be mandated to get parental consent for any user under the age of 18, in addition to giving the parent or guardian full access to the minor’s social media account.
“Our administration is very concerned about how social media is affecting our children,” Cox said, in a video accompanying the legislation announcement. “Youth rates of depression and other mental health issues are on the rise, and social media companies know their products are toxic.”
Utah to require social media companies to block overnight access for underage users
Social media companies will also be required to create a default curfew setting for users under the age of 18 that will, unless adjusted by a parent, block account access from between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
Users under the age of 18 must also not be able to receive messages from any individual who they have not previously followed or friended. Underage accounts will also be mandated to be blocked from search results.
Social media companies will also be barred from collecting child data and targeting accounts belonging to minors with advertising.
“As leaders and as parents we have a responsibility to protect our young people,” Cox said.
Social media companies that violate the new laws may be subject to a fine of up to $2,500 per reported violation, in addition to a fine of $250,000 for using addictive design features that target underage users.
Parents will also be allowed to directly sue a social media company for financial, physical, or emotional harm, depending on the circumstances.
Last August, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced two bills aimed at improving data privacy protection for children, including the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act and the Kids Online Safety Act.
Do you agree with Utah’s decision to require social media companies to restrict access for underage users? Let us know in the comments!
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