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Utah proposes new rules for social media use by minors

(Michael Dwyer | AP) The TikTok logo is seen on a cell phone on Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston.

The state is proposing new rules for youth access to social media, following legislation aimed at curbing kids’ use of platforms that state leaders say can be harmful.

The proposed administrative rule was released Monday by the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, which is a part of Utah’s Department of Commerce. The Social Medial Regulation Act would require social media platforms to verify if a user is a minor and then require them to obtain parental consent before opening an account.

“If you’re under 18, you have to have parental consent. In order to prove you’re over 18, there has to be a way to age-verify,” said Utah Department of Commerce Executive Director Margaret Woolley Busse in an interview with FOX 13 News.

According to the rule itself, methods for age-verification include:

  • Validating and verifying mobile telephone subscriber information;
  • Using dynamic knowledge-based authentication consistent with a method approved by the FTC;
  • Estimating a current account holder’s age based on the date a Utah account holder created the account;
  • Checking a current or prospective account holder’s Social Security Number’s last four digits against a third-party database of personal information;
  • Using a digital credential;
  • Estimating a current or prospective account holder’s age using facial characterization or analysis;
  • Matching a current or prospective account holder’s verified government-issued identification: to a live webcam photo or video of the person; or to the person who is physically present.

    • Read the full story at Fox13Now.com.

    The Salt Lake Tribune and Fox 13 News are content-sharing partners.

    By Ben Winslow | Fox 13 News