Index
Consumer ProtectionUtah, USA

Utah Social Media Regulation Act

Summary

Utah passed a first-in-the-nation law requiring social media companies to verify the age of all users in the state and severely restricting how minors can use their platforms. *Note: Parts of this are currently blocked by federal courts on First Amendment grounds.*

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    Social media companies (like Instagram and TikTok) must verify the age of any Utah resident trying to open or maintain an account.
  • 02.
    If a user is under 18, they MUST get explicit parental consent to open an account.
  • 03.
    Companies must give parents full access to their child's account, including the ability to read all of their private direct messages.
  • 04.
    The law imposes a default curfew, locking minors out of their accounts between 10:30 PM and 6:30 AM unless a parent overrides it.

Penalties

  • 01.
    The state can fine social media companies $2,500 per violation. Parents can also sue the platforms directly if they fail to get consent or if the platform's algorithms cause 'harm' to the child.

Verified Citations

Utah Code Section 13-63

Source
"A social media company may not permit a Utah resident who is a minor to be an account holder on the social media company's social media platform unless the social media company has the express consent of a parent or guardian..."