Utah bills to regulate social media companies

Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Thursday said he will sign a pair of bills that aim to protect minors in the state while using social media platforms. Senate Bill 152 would require companies to verify the age of account holders in the state and obtain parental consent for users under the age of 18. House Bill 311 would prohibit social media companies from using design features that cause users to become addicted to the platform. Both bills would go into effect on March 1, 2024, if Cox signs them by the March 23 deadline.

How will they be enforced? Cox says he will work with social media companies and third-party verification companies to determine how the restrictions would be implemented. The governor said he anticipates legal challenges to both bills, but believes the measures are important to benefit the health and well-being of children in the state. 

Dig deeper: Read Mary Jackson’s report in WORLD Magazine about how smartphone addictions are contributing to declining mental health.