Protecting Children

Childhood trauma impacts physical and mental health and can increase the need for social services and other interventions.

  • Youth mental health – Data shows that social media is affecting the mental health of our children. We remain committed to supporting legislative efforts to address this issue and educating parents about the harmful effects of social media on our youth. Additionally, we advocate for reduced cell phone use in schools, as less screen time leads to better focus on learning and stronger human connections.
  • Digital devices impacting young children – Daycare providers and preschool teachers say today’s children under 4 have less ability to self-regulate and lower social/emotional skills, likely due to screens. It’s vital that we educate parents on the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations on screen time for young children. Recommendations on ways to engage with babies, toddlers and preschoolers can be found at vroom.org or by downloading the free app.
  • Child abuse prevention – We support comprehensive child abuse prevention programs in schools, raising public awareness of respite nurseries through collaborations with The Family Support Center, and parenting classes throughout the state with USU Extension programs.
  • Pregnancy App – Better enable Utahns to access needed maternal and child health services through personalized, technology-driven support. Approximately 30% of births in Utah are covered by Medicaid, so full-term births are healthier for mother and baby, and save significant tax dollars.

For information about the impact of screen time on young children, click here.