By Dina Alexander, MS
This year Utah did something remarkable.
At a time when parents across the country are worried about rising anxiety, declining academic focus, and the overwhelming presence of screens in children’s lives, Utah lawmakers passed a coordinated set of policies designed to restore balance.
In one legislative session the state passed a series of laws that address the most pressing challenges facing students today: distraction, excessive screen exposure, unsafe digital tools, and the misuse of student data.
The Child First Policy Center was proud to support many of these efforts. Together these laws represent one of the most comprehensive state frameworks in the country for improving both student mental health and academic outcomes.
The SAFE Act, the Balance Act, the Bell to Bell device policy, the Student Data Protection bill, and new parent control provisions all passed this year. Utah also advanced an updated version of the App Store Accountability Act, continuing its leadership in demanding transparency and safety in the digital ecosystems children now live in.
A Missed Opportunity on AI Safety
Not every effort succeeded this session.
Representative Doug Fiefia introduced a thoughtful bill that would have required artificial intelligence companies to maintain basic child safety policies and report incidents involving harm to minors.
The proposal was straightforward and widely supported by child advocates. But despite that support the bill was ultimately killed after intense pressure from powerful technology interests, including opposition connected to investor David Sacks and the White House.
As artificial intelligence systems rapidly expand into children’s lives, the question of how to protect young users is only becoming more urgent.
The conversation is far from over.
Utah Is Showing What Leadership Looks Like
For more than a decade technology has entered classrooms and children’s lives faster than policymakers could respond.
Utah’s 2026 legislative session marks a turning point.
By protecting student attention, ensuring classroom technology actually improves learning, strengthening data privacy, and empowering parents, Utah is building a healthier digital environment for young people.
Together these laws create classrooms where students can focus, teachers can teach, and technology serves learning rather than distracting from it.
At a time when many families feel overwhelmed by the pace of technological change, Utah is showing something powerful. Thoughtful policy can restore balance. And when leaders choose to put children first, meaningful change is possible.
Just as importantly, this progress did not begin with massive institutions or national movements. It began with a small group of thoughtful, concerned parents who were willing to ask better questions and work with lawmakers to find real solutions.
That is how meaningful change often begins.
The Child First Policy Center will continue working relentlessly in the years ahead to help bring these policies to other states. Because when parents, educators, and policymakers work together, we can build a digital environment where children are protected, learning is prioritized, and technology truly serves the next generation.
