Strict social media usage regulations instituted first in a U.S. state for minor users.
In a significant move, Governor Spencer Cox of Utah has signed two measures aimed at safeguarding children's online privacy and mental health. These measures set a precedent for other states, as Utah becomes the first to hold social media companies accountable for protecting children online.
One of the measures introduces a social media curfew, blocking children's access from 10:30 PM to 6:30 AM. This curfew is a response to concerns about the impact of social media on children's mental health, a concern that is not unique to Utah. Similar rules are being considered in four other states: Arkansas, Texas, Ohio, and Louisiana, as well as in New Jersey.
The new laws also require children in Utah to obtain parental or guardian consent to create accounts on popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. This move is designed to give parents full access to their children's social media accounts, including posts and private messages. This transparency is praised by children's advocacy groups, with Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, calling it a 'huge victory' for children and families in Utah.
Common Sense Media, a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology, has also commended the governor's decision. Steyer stated that the Utah measures set a precedent for other states to hold social media companies accountable for protecting children online.
The UK has also taken steps to tighten social media controls, with TikTok usage for children limited to one hour, with longer usage permitted with parental consent. This move echoes the sentiments behind the Utah measures, highlighting a growing global concern for children's online safety and mental health.
These developments mark a significant step forward in protecting children in the digital age, and it is hoped that other states will follow Utah's lead in prioritising the wellbeing of their young citizens online.
