Utah Gov. Cox plans to sue social media firms for harming children.

Utah Governor Prepares to Sue Social Media Companies for Harming Children

Republican Utah governor Spencer Cox is taking a stand against social media companies, stating that they are causing harm to young children in the state. In an interview with the CBS program “Face The Nation,” Cox emphasized the growing evidence of a causal link between social media use and negative mental health effects such as suicide, anxiety, depression, and self-harm.

“In the coming months, you will see lawsuits being filed by the state of Utah to hold them accountable,” Cox declared. “We believe they’ve known about the dangers… and intentionally tried to hide that information. And of course, to not make necessary changes to protect our kids. So we’re looking forward to having our day in court on that issue.”

Cox did not provide a specific timeline or target for the lawsuits, but he made it clear that all social media companies are being considered. This is not the first time the governor has raised the possibility of legal action. In January, he joined Utah attorney general Sean Reyes to announce their intention to address how minors are using social media through a range of options, including litigation.

New Social Media Control Rules

Utah has already taken steps to regulate social media with the passing of Senate Bill 152, known as the Utah Social Media Regulation Act. This legislation, effective from March 2024, requires social media companies to verify that users in the state are at least 18 years old before setting up a profile. Additionally, parental consent will be necessary for users under 18.