📢  Call to Action!
Let’s Protect Our Kids Online!
Support SB142 - The App Store Accountability Act

SB 142 is a crucial bill that strengthens parental control over apps and social media. This bill empowers parents with the tools they need to manage what, when, and how their child downloads apps and accesses social media. It also holds Big Tech accountable—companies that violate these protections will face penalties for harming children.
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The House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee will be voting on SB142 Wednesday February 19 at 4PM. 

We need your help to encourage them to support this bill!
✅ Contact the representatives on the committee and kindly ask them to vote YES on SB142 and strengthen parental control over apps and social media.  
✅ Make it clear that parents must have the power to hold Big Tech accountable when they break the law. Emphasize that the private right of action is essential to this bill—without it, companies won’t face real consequences for harming children.
✅ Keep it friendly and simple! A quick email or text makes a huge difference!

House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee

Paul Cutler
Doug Fiefia
Jon Hawkins
Colin Jack
Verona Mauga
Tracy Miller
Carol Moss
Doug Owens
David Shallenberger
Troy Shelley

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8015381029
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8015381029
8015381029
8016478764
3854993761
8012145989
8016410207

[email protected]
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Thank you for standing up for parents' rights in Utah!
Let’s ensure parents have the strongest tools to safeguard their kids in today’s digital world!

SB142, the App Accountability Act and why it's important to parents.

Social Media is Hurting Our Kids

• Anxiety and depression are skyrocketing.
• 3 in 5 teen girls felt persistently sad in 2021.
• 1 in 3 girls seriously considered suicide.
• For the first time in 15 years, more kids are dying—driven by suicides and overdoses.

😞 Something is very wrong. And we need to fix it.
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Big Tech is Addictive & Predatory

• Social media traps kids in a cycle of likes & followers, leaving them empty & alone.
• Hours of scrolling expose them to harmful content, cyberbullying, and predators.
• Apps rewire young brains with dopamine-driven algorithms—just like casinos.
• ADHD diagnoses are rising, but a 4–6 week screen detox can reverse many symptoms.

💔 Some 11-year-olds feel so hopeless they take their own lives. We must stop this.

Social Media is Unsafe for Kids

• ⚠️ It’s Not Just Addiction—It’s Dangerous.
• Eating disorder & self-harm content is easy to find.
• Pornography is everywhere, even on YouTube, Snapchat, and Instagram.
• Predators are lurking, and 1 in 3 teen girls have been approached for explicit photos.

😤 Big Tech profits while kids suffer. We must demand change.

Parents Can’t Protect Kids Alone. They Need Help.

• Current Parental controls have limits
  • ​Parents have little control over what their kids see and do on social media.
  • Even the best parental control apps can’t monitor everything.
• Big Tech blocks key protections
  • ​TikTok & Snapchat don’t allow third-party parental control apps.
  • Instagram hides direct messages, where much dangerous activity happens.
• Parents Don’t Always Know What’s in an App
  • ​App developers aren’t required to disclose everything—harmful content, hidden features, and manipulative designs often go undisclosed.

SB142 Protects Kids and Helps Parents
The App Store Accountability Act (SB 142), sponsored by Sen. Todd Weiler, aims to increase parental control over children's use of apps by requiring app store providers and developers to implement stricter age verification, parental consent measures, and transparency regarding app content.

✅ Requires Age Verification – App stores must verify user ages and get parental consent for minors.
✅ Stops Hidden Content – Apps must provide clear content ratings & disclosures to parents.
✅ Prevents Exploitation – Big Tech can’t enforce contracts or misuse kids' data without consent.
✅ Empowers Parents – Parents get more control over downloads, purchases, and content.
✅ Holds Big Tech Accountable – Violators face penalties for harming children.

Key Provisions Benefiting Parents:

1. Age Verification for Minors
   • App stores must verify the ages of users when they create an account.
   • If a user is under 18, their account must be linked to a parental account.
2. Parental Consent for Minor Accounts
   • Before a minor can download an app, purchase an app, or make in-app purchases, app stores must obtain verifiable parental consent.
   • Developers must also confirm parental consent before enforcing any contracts (e.g., subscriptions, in-app purchases).
3. Parental Notifications & Transparency
   • App stores must notify parents of any significant changes to an app, including:
     • Changes in data collection policies.
     • New monetization features (e.g., ads, in-app purchases).
     • Changes to an app’s age rating or content description.
   • Parents must provide renewed consent when such changes occur.
4. Protection of Minors from Unfair Contracts
   • App stores and developers cannot enforce contracts (e.g., subscriptions, in-app purchases) against minors unless parental consent was obtained.
5. Stronger Content Disclosures for Parents
   • Before granting consent, parents must be shown a Parental Consent Disclosure detailing:
     • The app’s age rating and content description.
     • What personal data the app collects and shares.
     • How the developer protects user data.
6. Parental Legal Rights & Remedies
   • Parents can sue app stores or developers if their child is harmed due to violations of the law.
   • If successful, parents may receive:
     • $1,000 per violation or actual damages (whichever is greater).
     • Attorney fees and litigation costs.
7. Data Protection Requirements
   • App stores must protect age verification data and limit its collection and sharing.
   • Personal data can only be shared between the app store and developers for age-related compliance.​