Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This month, Utah launched a ‘Harms of Social Media’ public awareness campaign to help educate and empower parents about the potential dangers social media poses to our children.
Studies show a correlation between social media use and increased mental health issues in youth. With 76% of Utah children using social media, it’s crucial to recognize that it cannot replace real-world interactions.
Research shows 88% of Utah parents acknowledge the detrimental impact of social media on their children’s well-being. This campaign seeks to help equip parents with the knowledge and tools to take action.
Tips for parents regarding social media activity:
- Create a family media plan with expectations of how and when to use technology and social media.
- Learn about social media platforms and how they work.
- Have open and honest discussions with your child about the harms of social media and spending time online.
- Model responsible online behavior for your child.
- Reconsider allowing your child to have social media.
- Free up time to connect with your child device-free.
- Create tech-free zones & find opportunities to connect in person with your child.
Property Taxes
I have heard from many constituents who were surprised to see a drastic increase in their property taxes this year. While the Legislature did stop a property tax increase of $146 million, most property taxes are not decided at the state level. The increase in property taxes is occurring at the local level with school, city, county and water conservancy districts.
However, the Legislature has been looking at ways for the state to help address concerns surrounding property tax increases. The Revenue and Taxation Committee spent its entire interim committee meeting discussing this issue. Committee staff provided a helpful overview regarding how property taxes work in our state. The committee also heard from county assessors about a statewide shift between residential property and commercial property owners, influencing the rise in the property tax burden.
I will continue to work with my colleagues to review this issue as we prepare for the 2024 General Session.
School Security Task Force Update
The School Security Task Force focuses on recommending safety and security protocols for designing, constructing and reconstructing new and existing schools. This month, the task force received presentations from state experts on best practices to better secure our school campuses statewide for emergencies and hazards. Increasing the overall safety of students and educators is a primary objective for the Legislature. The efforts of our task force and committees, in partnership with community leaders and stakeholders, will lead to great strides in campus protection.