Efforts to curb youth social media use clear Utah Legislature, await governor’s signature

Teenagers using cell phones, unspecified location and date | Photo courtesy Pixaby Stock Images, St. George News

SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers approved a pair of major social media regulations this week, requiring parental consent for minors to create social accounts and making it easier to sue social media companies for alleged damages to teens.

Social media regulation has been a priority for the Utah Legislature all session, after Gov. Spencer Cox called for strong action against tech companies in January, citing declining trends in teen mental health in recent years. Cox later announced he plans to sue social media companies, comparing them to tobacco companies.

Two social media regulations that have been the subject of intense negotiation throughout the session received final approval this week, and are expected to be signed by Cox.

The first, sponsored by Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork — who is Cox’s brother-in-law — would require that minors get parental consent to sign up for social media, starting March 1, 2024. In order to prevent minors from creating accounts without their parents’ approval, it would also require companies to verify the ages of all users in Utah.

Read the full story here:  KSL News.

Written by BRIDGER BEAL-CVETKO, KSL.com.


Check out all of St. George News’ coverage of the 2023 Utah Legislature here.

Copyright KSL.com.

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