Section 78B-3-1102 - Legislative findingsThe Legislature finds that:
(1) social media services utilize curation algorithms and engagement driven design elements to maximize user engagement;(2) minors are particularly vulnerable to manipulation by the use of curation algorithms and engagement driven design elements;(3) a minor's excessive use of an algorithmically curated social media service is likely to cause adverse mental health outcomes in minors, regardless of the content being viewed;(4) the risk of an adverse mental health outcome resulting from the excessive use of an algorithmically curated social media service increases when a minor uses the service for more than three hours per day, or during regular sleeping hours;(5) algorithmically curated social media services are designed without sufficient tools to allow adequate parental oversight, exposing minors to risks that could be mitigated with additional parental control;(6) protecting minors from the risks associated with the use of algorithmically curated social media services requires intervention at a societal level, informed by expertise in technology, psychology, and youth mental health;(7) the state has a long-established role and responsibility in implementing protections and regulations to safeguard the health and welfare of minors;(8) 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;(9) any adverse mental health outcomes for minors that are linked to the excessive use of algorithmically curated social media services are a serious public health concern for the state; and(10) the state has a compelling interest to protect minors in the state against adverse mental health outcomes.Added by Chapter 224, 2024 General Session ,§ 3, eff. 10/1/2024.