The American state of Utah has approved a law that prohibits minors from creating a profile on social networks without the knowledge and consent of their parents or guardians.

The law was signed into law Thursday by the state's Republican governor, Spencer Cox.

In addition, a digital "evening hour" was introduced, according to which young people should not log on to social networks between 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., unless given permission by an adult, The Hill reported

Facebook is addictive to the internet

The regulation won't go into effect until March 2024, but Cox stressed he would use the time until then to work with social media companies to iron out some details of the legislation.

We're no longer willing to let social media companies continue to harm the mental health of our youth.

Today we signed two key bills in our fight against social media companies into law:

SB152 requires social media companies to verify that users in https://t.co/GVAcSi9zHx… pic.twitter.com/M1Kbya1xQi

— Utah Gov.

Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) March 23, 2023

We will no longer allow social media to damage our children's mental health.

Today we signed two key pieces of legislation in our fight against social media, Cox tweeted.

The second law prohibits companies from using "designs or features" that could lead to addiction among minors.

This will make it easier for people to report these companies in cases of violations.

social media

USA