Utah Is The First State To Pass Social Media Regulations To Protect Minors

 

Last Thursday (March 23, 2023) Utah became the first state in the United States to sign a bill that will put Social Media regulations in place to protect minors.

The two bills that were passed were SB152 and HB311.

The SB152 bill will implement the following regulations in place as of March 1, 2024.

• Age verification for all users before they can open or maintain an account.
• Permission from parents before a minor can open a social media account.
• Restricts minors’ use of social media from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am unless a parent changes those settings. The platforms must also ensure that children are unable to bypass those restrictions.
• Give parents the ability to access a minor’s account, including all posts and private messages.
• Limits what personal information a social media platform can collect from minors.

The HB311 bill will put the following regulation in place as of March 1, 2024.

"Blocks social media companies from implementing a “design or feature” that causes a minor to become addicted to using the platform. The companies could face fines or lawsuits for violations."

What do you think about these new laws?

Do you think this will be helpful to parents who have been seeing a big jump in Mental Health issues with children?

Or, do you see this as unimportant for children and just another way to control children?

Let me know your thoughts below.

Reference: The Salt Lake Tribune Article