Utah, First State Needs Parents' Permission For Children To Open Social Media

Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed two laws limiting the use of social media by minors. (photo: Twitter @GovCox)

JAKARTA - The Governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, on Thursday 23 March signed two laws meant to limit the use of social media by minors. Utah became the first US state to require parental permission for anyone under 18 to use platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Both laws, which were passed this month by the legislature controlled by the Utah Republican Party. This law is also intended to ease the lawsuit against social media companies over damage. The impact of social media on children has become a topic of increasing national debate in the United States, where service providers are largely protected from responsibility for their content under Section 230 of the Law on Honorary Communications.

Youth rates of depression and other mental health issues are on the rise because of social media companies. As leaders, and parents, we have a responsibility to protect our young people. Check out https://t.co/GVAcSi9zHx, our new website where you can learn more about the new… pic.twitter.com/zz5dRkdKVn

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) March 24, 2023

"We are no longer willing to let social media companies continue to endanger the mental health of our children," Cox, a Republican, said in a message on Twitter.

The law, which is opposed by the tech industry, requires all users to send age verification before opening social media accounts. Children under the age of 18 who seek exemptions will need parental permission.

The impact of social media on children depends on many factors, and various institutions around the world have been doing research on this. Some examples of institutions that have conducted research on the impact of social media on children include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Pew Research Center, and UNICEF.

According to them, social media can have a negative impact on children's mental health, such as sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and poor identity development. Children are also vulnerable to inappropriate content and cyberbullying on social media platforms.

However, social media can also provide benefits, such as opportunities to connect with friends and family, explore interests and creativity, and access to educational resources. It is important to oversee the use of children's social media and help them develop healthy digital skills.