The US state of Utah wants to significantly restrict access to social media services by minors. According to a new law, parents must agree to the use of TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. Otherwise, restricted periods for young people will be introduced.
Utah restricts social media for youth
As Republican governor of Utah, Spencer Cox signed sweeping social media legislation that explicit parental permission for people under the age of 18 to use platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. In addition, social media services are prohibited from using techniques that could create addiction. The law is expected to take effect from March 2024.
It is the first law of its kind in the United States. Civil rights groups had previously protested against the adoption – but ultimately without success. Cox himself states that he is no longer willing to accepting “damage to the mental health of our youth”.. He made the announcement via Twitter of all places.
Unless parents give permission, users under the age of 18 should be able to access their accounts closed between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m become. They are obliged to do this under the new law. Parents or legal guardians should also have access to the published content (source: The Guardians). In the future, the age of the users should already be checked when registering.
Buying followers on Instagram is not a good idea:
Tech groups against restrictions
With NetChoice, a first lobby group in the technology industry has already positioned itself against the law. Utah would soon require online services to collect sensitive information about young people and families, as Deputy Director Nicole Saad Bembridge fears. There is a risk that private data would be misused. Civil rights groups have expressed concern that marginalized youth are being denied access to support networks and important information.
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