New rules in Utah are meant to make it much harder for kids less than 18 to use social networking apps.

When the laws go into effect in March 2024, youngsters under 18 won't be able to use social media between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., and everyone who wants to use social media in Utah will have to prove their age. Also, children who say social media hurt them will be able to sue on their behalf.

The Associated Press said that tech companies are likely to sue the state before the regulations are put into place.

"Peer pressure on steroids," says Ben Carson about how social media affects children.

The regulations are being signed at a time when more and more leaders are speaking out against the bad impacts of social media. This shows that people's views of Big Tech have changed over the years because of worries about user privacy, hate speech, and false information.


Even though the federal government hasn't been able to pass any laws to regulate social networking apps, a few states are taking matters into their own hands. Legislators in Arkansas, Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, and New Jersey, as well as Utah, are working on similar plans.

The AP also said that in 2022, California passed a rule that tells internet companies they can't profile minors or use their personal information in a way that could hurt them physically or mentally.