The Utah Legislature has introduced a new bill aimed at safeguarding minors involved in entertainment and social media content. This legislation seeks to provide financial protection for child actors and children featured in parental social media posts, while also granting them the right to request deletion of their content upon reaching adulthood. The bill, sponsored by Representative Doug Owens, addresses two key areas: ensuring financial security for young performers and empowering them to manage their online presence.

Ensuring Financial Security for Young Performers

This proposed legislation focuses on protecting the financial interests of minors participating in both traditional acting roles and revenue-generating social media content. Parents are required to allocate a portion of the income earned from these activities into a trust fund, which will be accessible to the child when they reach adulthood. This measure aims to ensure that children benefit financially from their involvement in such ventures.

Representative Owens emphasized the importance of this provision, stating that it is only fair for children to receive a share of the income generated from their participation. He noted that many families in Utah produce family-oriented social media content, making it crucial to establish regulations that protect the financial well-being of these young individuals. By setting aside funds in a trust, the bill ensures that children have a financial cushion as they transition into adulthood, potentially helping them with education or other significant life expenses.

Empowering Minors to Control Their Online Presence

In addition to financial safeguards, the bill grants minors the authority to remove content featuring them from social media platforms once they turn 18. This provision allows young people to take control of their digital footprint, removing any material they find embarrassing or no longer wish to remain public. The ability to delete past content empowers individuals to shape their online identity as they mature.

Owens highlighted the significance of this aspect, noting that it gives young people the power to decide what remains visible about them online. The representative explained that this initiative was inspired by feedback from constituents who expressed concerns about the long-term impact of childhood social media content. By providing this option, the bill acknowledges the evolving nature of personal privacy and the need for individuals to have greater control over their online presence. Furthermore, it reflects a growing awareness of the potential consequences of early social media exposure and offers a solution to mitigate these risks.