US state passes law restricting TikTok and Instagram use by children and teenagers

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Measure will take effect March 1, 2024 in Utah. Parental consent to be able to open or maintain social networks are among the determinations. Utah approves law that restricts the use of TikTok and Instagram Rafael Miotto/g1 A law that conditions the access of minors to social networks, such as TikTok and Instagram, to the explicit approval of their representatives was approved on Thursday (23) in Utah . It is the first US state to take the measure. The ruling will take effect March 1, 2024. “Indicators of youth depression and other mental health issues are on the rise, and social media companies know their products are toxic. They’ve designed their apps to be addictive,” said Spencer J. Cox, governor of Utah, in enacting the law. Another law has also been enacted that prohibits companies from including functions that may be addictive. US President Joe Biden had recently advocated stricter laws to address the influence of social media on young people, while states like California, Texas and Arkansas are working on legal frameworks in this regard. The Utah law was signed into law on the same day that TikTok’s CEO testified before Congress about, among other things, the platform’s effects on teen mental health. Who is Shou Zi Chew, the discreet ‘boss’ of TikTok The new legislation in Utah establishes: Children and teenagers will need the consent of their parents or representatives to be able to open or maintain their social networks, which can considerably impact the access of young people to popular apps like TikTok and Instagram. It obliges the companies responsible for social networks, under penalty of economic sanctions, to allow unrestricted access to minors’ accounts to their representatives, as well as to establish a night blocking function. Companies 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. Governor Spencer Cox signs two social media regulation bills during a ceremony at the Capitol building in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Cox signed a pair of measures aimed at limiting when and where children can using social media and preventing companies from attracting children to Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP In previous statements, Governor Cox admitted that the text, criticized by those who consider it a violation of US constitutional principles, may face obstacles cool. “We are letting social media companies know that we will fight in the courts and that we will empower parents with education and tools.” “Social media is severely impacting Utah teens,” said one of the bill’s sponsors, Republican state senator Michael K. McKell, noting that regulation is a bipartisan effort. “The impact on our children is incredibly concerning.” READ MORE: TikTok Promises to Transfer All American Data to US Servers Why Are Many Countries Banning Their Employees From Using TikTok?

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