Utah Gives Parents Control over Their Kids’ Phones

If history has taught us anything, it’s that we are sometimes slow to respond to dangers that harm our children. Tobacco, opioids, even cocaine were once touted as “safe” and “effective.” Seat-belt laws were nonexistent for decades until we realized that lives would be saved if we wore them and that it’s a parent’s responsibility to ensure their child is buckled up.

Much the same goes for social media and its effect on our children today. The Millennials and Gen Zers of our world have been the guinea pigs for Big Tech experiments. Social-media companies have harnessed the power of addictive algorithms on our children, and as a consequence, we have seen youth mental issues — from anxiety to suicide — skyrocket since 2010 while too many political leaders have stood on the sidelines wringing their hands.

SC

About the Author

Spencer Cox

Governor Spencer J. Cox is a husband, father, farmer, recovering attorney, and Utah’s 18th governor.

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If history has taught us anything, it’s that we are sometimes slow to respond to dangers that harm our children. Tobacco, opioids, even cocaine were once touted as “safe” and “effective.” Seat-belt laws were nonexistent for decades until we realized that lives would be saved if we wore them and that it’s a parent’s responsibility to ensure their child is buckled up.

Much the same goes for social media and its effect on our children today. The Millennials and Gen Zers of our world have been the guinea pigs for Big Tech experiments. Social-media companies have harnessed the power of addictive algorithms on our children, and as a consequence, we have seen youth mental issues — from anxiety to suicide — skyrocket since 2010 while too many political leaders have stood on the sidelines wringing their hands.