A federal judge has blocked Utah’s law that aimed to restrict social media platforms from serving content to minors under 18. U.S. District Court Judge Robert Shelby ruled the Utah Minor Protection in Social Media Act likely violates the First Amendment, halting its enforcement just before it was set to take effect on October 1.
Shelby acknowledged Utah’s intent to protect minors but emphasized that laws regulating speech based on content face high constitutional scrutiny. The law would have required social platforms to limit minors’ ability to communicate outside their network and restrict push notifications and autoplay features. Tech industry group NetChoice, which sued to block the law, argued it infringed on minors’ rights and hindered free expression.
Shelby concluded that Utah officials failed to prove a direct link between minors’ social media use and negative mental health outcomes, citing the need for more research.
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