Utah and Australia Unite on Surprising Legislative Accord

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Shared Concerns on Digital Safety

At first glance, a group of visiting Utah lawmakers and their Australian counterparts would not seem to have much in common. They differ in government structures, with one being a republic and the other a constitutional monarchy. They are located on different continents, in different hemispheres, and separated by vast time zones. However, despite these differences, both groups share a deep concern for the safety of children in the digital world.

During a recent trade mission to Australia and New Zealand, organized by the World Trade Center Utah, Utah Republican lawmakers engaged in discussions with Australian officials about protecting youth online. This unexpected focus on digital safety emerged as a key topic during conversations between Utah Governor Spencer Cox and several Utah lawmakers with representatives from the Australian government.

The discussions highlighted a shared commitment to addressing the impact of social media on youth mental health. Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, noted that Australia has taken significant steps to tackle the issue of social media. He emphasized that both Utah and Australia are taking strong measures to push back against the negative effects of social media.

Utah’s Approach to Social Media Regulation

Utah has been at the forefront of efforts to protect children from the dangers of social media. The state passed the Utah Social Media Regulation Act, which includes provisions such as restricting minors' access to social media during certain hours, requiring parental consent for social media accounts, and allowing parents to monitor their children's online activity. The law also prevents social media companies from collecting data from minors or targeting them with advertisements.

Governor Cox has praised Utah's initiatives as some of the first of their kind in the United States. He mentioned that many states are interested in similar legislation and that there is ongoing dialogue among governors and legislators across the country.

In addition to these laws, Utah requires social media platforms to set maximum default privacy settings on children's accounts and to verify the ages of users. The state has also funded an educational campaign through the website SocialHarms.utah.gov to raise awareness about the risks of social media.

Australia’s Efforts in Protecting Youth Online

Australia has implemented its own measures to protect young people from digital dangers. The country has restricted access to social media for individuals under 16 years old. During the trade mission, Utah and Australian officials discussed developing shared principles and a framework that promotes responsible innovation, holds social media platforms accountable, and strengthens protections for minors.

The joint discussions reflected a shared commitment to addressing the harms of social media and excessive mobile phone use among K–12 students. Utah Senator Kirk Cullimore emphasized that social media companies cannot prioritize profits over the safety of children. He called for stronger accountability for harmful design features and better protection of user data.

Key Areas of Collaboration

Utah and Australian lawmakers identified several areas for collaboration, including:

• Promoting responsible mobile phone use in schools to reduce distractions and improve learning outcomes.
• Holding social media companies accountable through stronger age verification, privacy, and data protection measures for minors.
• Supporting ethical education technology that prioritizes well-being.
• Launching public awareness campaigns to promote healthy digital habits among youth and families.

Parents across the globe are increasingly seeking guidance on how to help their children navigate the digital world. By setting clear boundaries, such as limiting device use in schools and holding platforms accountable, lawmakers aim to empower children to focus, learn, and thrive.

The Future of Cellphone Restrictions in Schools

There is growing interest in implementing more aggressive policies to restrict cellphones in Utah schools. Governor Cox has been a vocal advocate for banning cellphones in K-12 public schools "from bell to bell." His stance is echoed in Australia, where all six states have reportedly enacted bans on cellphones during school hours.

The results of these policies have been positive, with other countries reaching out to Australia for guidance on implementing similar measures. In Utah, a new law known as Senate Bill 178 has made "no cellphones in K-12 schools" the default practice. While individual schools can opt for alternative policies, some lawmakers believe that stricter "bell-to-bell" restrictions may be necessary.

Some argue that students need cellphones in case of emergencies, but Utah Senator Scott Sandall counters that schools have effectively managed emergencies for generations without relying on student devices. He believes it is possible to return to this model while ensuring student safety.

Utah parents are becoming more aware of the benefits of social media and phone policies designed to protect their children. Many express concern about the amount of time children spend on devices, whether at home or in school. As the conversation around digital safety continues, the collaboration between Utah and Australia highlights a global effort to ensure that technology serves the best interests of children and communities.