Understanding Utah Law on Child Social Media Use
Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and its impact on children cannot be ignored. With the rise of cyberbullying, online predators, and harmful content, it is crucial to understand the laws that regulate children's social media use. In Utah, there are specific laws that make up the Social Media Regulation Act that address these issues and are set to go into effect on March 1, 2024.
In this article, I will explore Utah laws on child social media use. I will also dive into its implications for parents, and how to keep your kids safe online. Finally, I will address some of the most frequently asked questions related to these laws.
The Utah Laws on Child Social Media Use
The purpose of the laws is to give parents more control over what information is collected about their children and how it is used. Supporters argue that the law is necessary to protect children's privacy and prevent online marketers and other entities from collecting personally identifiable information. Detractors content that the new law could take away privacy from kids and teens, and lose for many kids, what is a lifeline to communities they rely on.
It also aims to prevent children from using social media from 10:30 P.M. to 6:30 A.M., require age verification to join social media, and offer the opportunity to sue companies on behalf of children who can claim they were harmed by social media and limit kids’ exposure to addictive features of social media and targeted advertising.
What Are the Implications of the Utah Law on Child Social Media Use?
The Utah law on child social media use has several implications for parents and kids alike. Here are some of them:
Parental Responsibility: Parents are responsible for monitoring their children's social media use and ensuring that they do not engage in harmful activities.
School Instruction: Schools are required to provide internet safety instruction to students, including teaching them about cyberbullying, online predators, and the consequences of sharing personal information online.
Social Media Companies: Social media companies are required to implement measures that involve age verification, banning ads for minors, imposing a curfew (making their sites off-limits between 10:30pm – 6:30am) for anyone under the age of 18, and giving parents access their minor children’s accounts – all intended to protect children from harmful content and provide parents with the tools to monitor their children's activity on their platforms.
How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online?
Here are several steps you can take to keep your kids safe online:
Monitor their social media use: Keep an eye on what your kids are doing online and with whom they are interacting.
Educate them about online safety: Teach your kids about the cyberbullying dangers, online predators, and the importance of privacy.
Use parental control software: Install parental control software on your child's device to restrict their access to inappropriate content. However, never rely solely on parental controls to keep your kids safe online – they are a tool you can use, but they are not designed to “take care of it” for you when it comes to online safety and kids.
Talk to your kids: Have regular conversations with your kids about their online activities and listen to their concerns.
FAQs
Can children use social media in Utah?
Yes, children can use social media in Utah, but parents must monitor their activity and ensure their safety.
What are the consequences of violating Utah law on child social media use?
Violating the Utah law on child social media use can result in legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Is it illegal for social media companies to collect data on children in Utah?
Currently, social media companies are allowed to collect data on children as long as they comply with COPPA guidelines. Once these laws go into effect though, they will need to comply with Utah law as well.
How will the laws be enforced?
Utah has NOT yet determined how they are going to enforce the laws.
The Utah laws on child social media use are a step towards protecting kids from social media dangers. As parents, it’s our job to educate ourselves and our kids about online safety AND take proactive steps to ensure their well-being both on and offline.
