13-71-102. Legislative findings.

226 words·~1 min read·/ut/title-13/chapter-71/13-71-102

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 10/1/2024

The Legislature finds that:

(1)the state has a compelling interest in safeguarding the well-being and privacy of minors in the state;

(2)the proliferation of social media services has led to the widespread collection and utilization of personal information, exposing minors to potential privacy and identity related harms;

(3)the addictive design features of certain social media services contribute to excessive use of a social media service by minors, impacting sleep patterns, academic performance, and overall health;

(4)social media services are designed without sufficient tools to allow adequate parental oversight, exposing minors to risks that could be mitigated with proper parental involvement and control;

(5)the state has enacted safeguards around products and activities that pose risks to minors, including regulations on motor vehicles, medications, and products and services targeted to children;

(6)prolonged and unregulated social media use has been linked to adverse effects on the mental health of minors, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation;

(7)existing measures employed by social media companies to protect minors have proven insufficient; and

(8)the state should ensure that minors' personal data is given special protection, as minors may have less awareness of the risks, consequences, and safeguards related to a social media company's processing of minors' personal data.

Enacted by Chapter 206 , 2024 General Session