Utah bans under-18s from using social media unless parents consent

Governor signs law putting restrictions on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and other platforms, including requiring them not to get minors addicted

The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, has signed sweeping social media legislation requiring explicit parental permissions for anyone under 18 to use platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. He also signed a bill prohibiting social media companies from employing techniques that could cause minors to develop an addiction" to the platforms.

The former is the first state law in the US prohibiting social media services from allowing access to minors without parental consent. The state's Republican-controlled legislature passed both bills earlier this month, despite opposition from civil liberties groups.