Utah social media law is ambitious, but is it enforceable?

On paper, Utah’s sweeping social media legislation passed this week is an ambitious attempt to shield children and teens from the ill effects of social media. It empowers parents to decide whether their kids should be using apps like TikTok or Instagram. What’s less clear is whether and how the new rules can be enforced. Another uncertainty concerns whether they will create unintended consequences for the most vulnerable kids and teens already coping with a mental health crisis. And while parental rights are a central theme of Utah’s new laws, experts note the rights of parents and the best interests of children are not always aligned.