Proposed bill requires age verification, parental consent to get apps

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SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah lawmaker wants to require app stores to use age verification and get parental permission for kids to download apps.

State Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, is sponsoring the bill. If passed, it would require age verification from both app stores and developers.

Kids under 18 years of age would need their parent’s permission before downloading an app, no matter the rating. 

“We want the parents to approve of their children’s digital interactions. The current practices bypass the safeguards and expose children, I think, to unnecessary risks,” said Weiler.

Additionally, the bill would prohibit stores and developers from misrepresenting their age rating. For example, with some of the content shared on Instagram, Weiler believes they shouldn’t be able to advertise as friendly for users 12 and up.

But given how new this idea is, Weiler said it’s possible the bill will undergo some tweaks during the legislative session.

“Kids are in their bedrooms at night when their parents think they’re sleeping and they’re on their phones viewing stuff that… most parents probably would not approve of.”

Adam Small is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio. He primarily reports on the Great Salt Lake and Natural Resources. Follow him on Facebook and X.  

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