Utah Governor Plans Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies for Adverse Effects on Children

Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) announced his intention on Sunday to take legal action against social media companies for the harm they cause to young children in his state. In an interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS’s Face The Nation, Cox stated that he and other state officials are thoroughly investigating all social media platforms. He further stated that in the coming months, the state will file lawsuits against these platforms to hold them accountable for their actions.

Cox asserted, “We believe that Meta and other social media companies were fully aware of the dangers and harms their products were inflicting on children. There is significant evidence to support this claim, including leaked information. Moreover, they deliberately chose to conceal this information and failed to implement necessary changes to protect our children. We eagerly await our day in court to address these concerns.”

Earlier this year, Cox signed legislation known as Utah Senate Bill 152. This law restricts minors from using social media platforms without parental permission. It stipulates that individuals in the state must be verified as 18 years or older to open an account, and those below the age limit must gain parental or guardian consent to create an account. The law is scheduled to go into effect in March 2024.

Cox is prepared to face any legal challenges that may arise from this legislation. He confidently stated, “Undoubtedly, social media companies will sue the state of Utah. Nevertheless, we fully intend to sue them for the harm and damage they inflict on our young people. I anticipate that the Supreme Court will eventually weigh in on the matter of restricting youth access. Our objective is to empower families with greater control over the content on social media platforms.”

Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill that would prohibit individuals under the age of 13 from using various social media platforms and require parental consent for those under 18. Cox explained, “Our aim is to provide families with greater control over the content on social media platforms. There is a proven link between social media usage and issues such as suicide, anxiety, depression, and self-harm. By granting more control to children, we hope to improve their experiences on social media.”