Utah Passes New Bill Requiring App Stores to Verify User Age and Identity

In a move aimed at restricting youth access to social media, Utah's legislature has passed a new bill that would require app stores to verify the age and identity of all users, including adults. The bill now awaits signature by Governor Spencer Cox, who signed a similar bill last year that was blocked by a federal judge over First Amendment concerns.

The intention behind this law seems to be a step towards limiting minors' access to social media platforms, which have been criticized for their potential impact on young minds during early childhood development. Governments worldwide have sought to rein in the use of social media by teens, arguing that they pose a particular threat due to the ease with which they can be exposed to bullying and other forms of online harassment.

Some argue that restricting access to social media for teenagers is necessary to prevent them from engaging in harmful behaviors. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General under President Biden, has argued that social media platforms should include warning labels highlighting potential mental health harms for adolescents. However, he also conceded that many youth report benefits from social media use, such as finding belonging in like-minded communities.

TikTok's #BookTok community is an example of a rising trend amongst teens to use social media in a positive light. Despite the potential risks, some critics argue that laws requiring identity verification threaten individual privacy by requiring everyone, including adults, to identify themselves in order to access platforms.

Concerns Over Individual Privacy and Enforcement

GOP-led states like Florida, Texas, and Kentucky have recently implemented ID checks on adult websites, resulting in sites like Pornhub ending operations in those states altogether. The infamous hack of Ashley Madison in 2015, which resulted in the personal information of users being shared online, demonstrates the potential harm of such laws.

Overreaching laws that target "adult content" are broad and could be used to target websites that a government does not like. Individuals may want to express themselves without fear of being identified. Robert Singleton, Senior Director of Chamber of Progress Government Relations, warned that this bill invades everyone's privacy and forces even adults to share sensitive data just to use their own devices.

Potential Unintended Consequences

Even if these laws hold up in court, they may prove just as effective as Prohibition, which was strongly influenced by religion and merely pushed alcohol underground. Pornography will likely move to darker corners of the internet that do not verify age or follow the law.

Counterintuitively, age verification laws could make the internet more dangerous – for both teens and adults. If teens are restricted from using social media, that decision should probably rest with parents. Instead, these laws may drive the problem underground, making it even harder to regulate and monitor online content.

The Internet in 2025

The dream of the 2000s internet – a world where Digg was the go-to social news site and users could share their thoughts and ideas freely – is largely dead. As we look towards the future, it's clear that the internet has evolved into a complex and multifaceted platform that requires careful consideration and regulation.

But what does the future hold? With governments increasingly taking steps to regulate online content and social media platforms struggling to keep up with changing user behaviors, one thing is certain – the internet will continue to evolve in unexpected ways. As we move forward, it's essential to consider the potential consequences of our actions and ensure that we're striking a balance between freedom of expression and public safety.