The Utah Legislature has introduced a bill aimed at protecting minors involved in both traditional entertainment and social media content. Sponsored by Representative Doug Owens, the legislation seeks to ensure financial protection for child actors and children featured in family-oriented online platforms. Additionally, it grants young individuals the right to request the removal of their content upon reaching adulthood.

Financial Protections for Young Performers

The proposed legislation mandates that parents safeguard a portion of the income generated from their children's participation in entertainment or social media activities. This requirement applies not only to traditional child actors but also to kids who appear in revenue-generating social media content. The law would compel guardians to allocate a share of the earnings into a trust fund, ensuring that the children benefit financially when they reach adulthood.

Representative Owens emphasized the importance of this measure, noting that many families in Utah create family-oriented social media content. He argued that if parents are profiting from their children's involvement, it is only fair that the minors receive a portion of the income. By establishing a trust fund, the bill aims to provide some level of financial security for these young performers as they transition into adulthood. Owens stated, "If people are making money from their kids, then the kids ought to get a share of that income at least. That’s one way to protect them, at least a little bit."

Empowering Youth to Control Their Digital Footprint

Beyond financial safeguards, the bill introduces a significant provision allowing minors to remove any social media content featuring them once they turn 18. This empowers young adults to take control of their digital presence, removing material they may find embarrassing or no longer wish to be public. The legislation gives them the authority to delete such content from social media platforms.

Owens explained that the inspiration for this aspect of the bill came from a constituent whose child appeared in a commercial. Over time, he expanded the scope to include social media performers, recognizing the need for similar protections in this growing domain. "Well, it’s only fair that they should be protected financially and then if they find something embarrassing, I think you should have the right to take it down if you change your mind about how other people put you on social media," Owens remarked. This initiative marks an important step toward safeguarding the rights and privacy of children featured in social media content.