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Utah Gov Spencer Cox slammed for new laws allowing parents to heavily police children's social media use

Parents will have complete access to their children's social media accounts and a minor will need parental consent to create an account

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Utah governor Spencer Cox reportedly signed two bills this week to regulate social media use for minors. Children will now need their parents' consent to use social media. Cox signed H.B. 311 and S.B. 152, which requires minors to get parental consent to create profiles on social media sites. Parents will also have complete access to thier children's social media accounts. 

"We’re no longer willing to let social media companies continue to harm the mental health of our youth. Today we signed two key bills in our fight against social media companies into law," Cox wrote on Twitter. 

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What are the H.B. 311 and S.B. 152?

"SB152 requires social media companies to verify that users in the state are 18 or older to open an account. Minors will need parental consent to create an account," Utah governor's post reads. 

The governor's message adds of the second bill, "HB311 prohibits social media companies from using a design or feature that causes addiction for a minor to the company’s social media platform. This bill also makes it easier for people to sue social media companies for damages."

"Utah’s leading the way in holding social media companies accountable – and we’re not slowing down anytime soon. Check out our new website, socialmedia.utah.gov, where you can learn more about these new laws, the latest research on the effects of social media and more. Join us in protecting our kids from the harms of social media," Cox added. 

The Utah sponsors and co-sponsors of the bills said that they pushed so hard for their legislation considering how important mindfulness is. According to State Rep. Jordan Teuscher, while the bills were being crafted, lawmakers heard from lobbyists for companies like Google and TikTok. "As you can imagine, the social media companies hired almost all of the major lobbyists in Utah to try to affect the bill," Teuscher said, according to the Daily Mail. "They were not very successful in deterring us from our objectives."

'They will regulate the internet for everyone'

Some critics said the laws were not a feasible method to enforce restrictions. "There's no way for a platform to know who is or isn't a full-time Utah resident," Ari Cohn, free speech counsel for TechFreedom, told NBC News. "The only way the platforms can ensure full compliance will be by actually age verifying everyone,' he said. 'And that's the problem with the state-level bills like this, is that they basically regulate the internet for everyone."

He also said the approach  sets a dangerous precedent regarding free speech on social media. "Age verifying everyone means you no longer have an ability to be anonymous online on social media," Cohn said. "Think about all the ways that social media is used to criticize powerful people, elected officials, tyrannical governments, or what have you, without fear of retribution." Other states considering similar legislations include Ohio, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Arkansas. 

'Wasteful approach'

Social media users are unhappy with the laws, with some saying there are more serious issues to be addressed. "So ALL Utahns will now have to jump through hoops to use social media. Nice example of “small government.”," one user said. Another wrote, "Tomorrows bill will regulate where mosquitoes can fly in Utah. This is a feel good bill driven by fear." "Y'all are really making it difficult to continue living here. Or to encourage anybody to come visit," said one user. "But gun violence that harms the physical health of our children is apparently a non issue I guess. Why no legislative uproar about that issue?" said one user. One user wrote, "Social media is not perfect, but it is also a place for free thought and chance to speak up to a large audience (within policy). Taking that away from anyone is not a good thing, even if the intention is in good faith (the jury is out)."

"This is probably the worst law I have ever seen passed in this state, so congrats!" one user said, while another said, "Will be struck down as unconstitutional by any reasonable judge." "This is a wasteful approach. Why not educate and encourage improvement. Ultimately it is a parenting decision," one user said, while another wrote, "Yet let them buy and keep as many guns as they can afford".

How does social media impact children?

A study by ScienceDirect reveals children under the age of 11, who use  Instagram and Snapchat, are more at the risk of developing problematic digital behaviors like making online-only friends and browsing websites parents would not approve of. They also have a higher chance of taking part in online harassment.

A different study by National Library of Medicine reveals that minors who use TikTok are experiencing a movement disorder caused by dtress and anxiety, which was worsened by the pandemic. There are also instances of increased irritability, increased anxiety and lack of self-esteem.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.