1 of 2 Utah Passes Law Restricting Use of TikTok and Instagram — Photo: Rafael Miotto/g1 Utah Passes Law Restricting Use of TikTok and Instagram — Photo: Rafael Miotto/g1
A law tying minors’ access to social networks like TikTok and Instagram to the express consent of their representatives was passed in Utah on Thursday (23). It is the first US state to take the measure. The decision comes into force on March 1, 2024.
“Indices of youth depression and other mental health problems are rising, and social media companies know their products are toxic. They designed their apps to be addictive,” Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox said in passing the bill.
Another law has also been passed that prohibits companies from building in features that can be addictive.
US President Joe Biden recently advocated stricter laws against the influence of social media on young people, while states such as California, Texas and Arkansas are working on legal frameworks in this regard.
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New legislation in Utah states:
- Children and teens require parental or guardian consent to open or maintain their social networks, which can severely impact young people’s access to popular apps like TikTok and Instagram.
- It obliges the companies responsible for social networks, under threat of economic sanctions, to allow their representatives unrestricted access to the accounts of minors and to set up a night blocking function.
- Businesses must also add controls to prevent children or teens from sending or receiving messages from accounts they don’t follow and block adult accounts from their search results.
2 of 2 Gov. Spencer Cox signs two social media regulation bills during a ceremony at the Salt Lake City Capitol — Photo: Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP Governor Spencer Cox signs two social media regulation bills during a ceremony at the Capitol Building in Salt Lake City’s Salt Lake City Capitol — Photo: Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP
In earlier statements, Governor Cox acknowledged that the text, which has been criticized by those who see it as a violation of American constitutional principles, may face legal obstacles.
“We’re letting social media companies know we’re going to fight in court and empower parents with education and tools.”
“Social media is having a major impact on Utah teenagers,” said one of the bill’s backers, Republican Senator Michael K. McKell, noting that regulation is a bipartisan effort. “The impact on our children is incredibly worrying.”
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