Utah looks to tax social media companies that collect user data for specialized advertising

"In today's marketplace, children's attention is being treated like an asset to be extracted, optimized and sold. Utah will not stand by where our young people are treated as data points and revenue streams."

"Over the past decade, something about our children has changed. Disruptive sleeping, declining attention, raising anxiety and earlier exposure to harmful content. These trends did not occur randomly. If we're successful, (the revenue) goes to child literacy programs. It goes to youth sports and recreation, youth volunteerism programs, mental health programs and services."

Senate Bill 287, sponsored by Senator Michael McKell, would impose a 4.7% tax on companies generating at least 50% of revenue from targeted advertising. The tax applies only to large corporations earning over $1 million from targeted advertising in Utah and $100 million from this strategy nationally. Revenue generated would fund youth programs including after-school activities, mental health services, child literacy initiatives, sports and recreation, and youth volunteerism programs. McKell argues that tech companies treat children's attention as extractable assets, contributing to declining attention spans, sleep disruption, increased anxiety, and earlier exposure to harmful content among young people.

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