Judge Robert Shelby acknowledged the state's intention to protect youth but emphasized that the law likely violates the First Amendment rights of social media companies.

NetChoice, a trade association representing major tech companies, filed the lawsuit against the law, arguing it infringes on the First Amendment rights of minors and social media platforms.

NetChoice argued that the law would hinder minors' ability to engage with public figures and express themselves creatively online.

This judicial decision is seen as a victory for young social media users in Utah, as it temporarily protects their access to online platforms.

Utah's Republican Governor Spencer Cox expressed disappointment with the ruling, highlighting the ongoing harm social media poses to children and the necessity of the legal battle.

The blocked law included provisions for stricter privacy settings on minor accounts, limiting access to direct messages and disabling features that encourage excessive use.

The law, which was set to take effect on October 1, 2024, required social media platforms to verify users' ages and imposed significant restrictions on minor accounts.

A federal judge in Utah has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Utah Minor Protection in Social Media Act, which aimed to enforce stricter regulations on minors' social media usage.

NetChoice contended that the age verification process mandated by the law would require Utah residents to provide more personal information than usual, increasing the risk of data breaches.

Under the proposed law, parents would have been granted access to their children's accounts and could sue social media companies if they could prove their child's mental health deteriorated due to usage.

NetChoice has successfully challenged similar laws in other states, reinforcing its position against regulations that it views as unconstitutional.

Utah previously became the first state to regulate children's social media use in 2023 and has since sued TikTok and Meta for allegedly targeting children with addictive features.