Utah is first US state to limit teen social media access (bbc.com)

Article summary

Utah has become the first US state to require social media firms to obtain parental consent for children to use their apps and verify users are at least 18. The new laws also impose a social media curfew and restrict data collection and targeted advertising for children. The measures aim to protect young people's mental health and will take effect on March 1, 2024. Similar regulations are being considered in other states.

Main themes

• social media regulation
• child protection
• mental health
• free speech
• anonymity
• tech addiction
• government control

What commenters say

• The law may infringe upon free speech and anonymity rights, potentially harming marginalized groups who rely on social media for support.
• The regulation is necessary to protect children's mental health and prevent tech addiction.
• The burden of enforcement should fall on parents, not tech platforms, which may struggle to verify users' ages and locations.
• The law may not be effective in achieving its goals and could lead to unintended consequences, such as driving social media use underground.
• The move towards greater regulation of social media is a positive step towards holding tech companies accountable for their impact on society.
• The law could have a disproportionate impact on certain groups, such as LGBTQ+ individuals who may rely on social media for community and support.
• The regulation may be a slippery slope towards greater government control over online activity and erosion of individual freedoms.
• Tech companies may respond to the law by restricting access to their services in Utah or implementing strict age verification measures.