The laws won’t go into effect until next year.
Signed by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed two bills into law Friday that seek to limit the harm social media causes to children and teens by requiring parents and guardians to allow their children to have accounts and by banning social media companies from designing addictive features.
“Our administration is very concerned about how social media is affecting our children. Youth rates of depression and other mental health issues are rising, and social media companies know that the their products are toxic,” Cox said in a recording posted online. “As leaders and as parents we have a responsibility to protect our youth.”
Beginning March 1, 2024, social media companies will be required to verify the legal age of majority of Utah residents seeking to open or maintain social media accounts. Those under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian.
Social media companies must also allow parents full access to their child’s account, create curfew settings that block access overnight, prohibit direct messages from anyone who not followed or met by the child and blocking minor accounts from search results.
Social media companies are also prohibited from collecting children’s data or targeting their accounts for advertising, according to the law.
Violations can be reported to the Consumer Protection Division, which can fine social media companies up to $2,500 per violation and seek additional remedies through the courts.
The second law, which will go into effect on December 31, will impose penalties on social media companies that target users under the age of 18 with addictive algorithms. Social media companies are prohibited from “using a design or feature that causes a minor to become addicted to the company’s social media platform,” according to the law.
Violators could face fines of up to $250,000 and penalties of up to $2,500 per child exposed to an addictive substance. Companies that perform quarterly audits and respond to violations of the addictive part within 30 days can avoid fines, according to the law.
Parents can also directly sue social media companies for financial, physical or emotional harm to their children. For those under the age of 16, harm can be considered under the law and social media companies must prove otherwise.
“Utah is leading the way in holding social media companies accountable — and we’re not slowing down anytime soon,” Cox said in a tweet.