It's unknown whether Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, will sign or veto the proposal. He has until March 25 to decide. Supporters claim that the restriction is a critical step to help parents keep explicit content away from kids -- especially as more children have their own electronic devices and have been forced to spend more time online during the pandemic.

Combating porn is a perennial issue for Utah lawmakers who have previously mandated warning labels on print and online pornography and declared porn a "public health crisis".

However the move means that filters will go on phones whether users want them or not, and there is a small problem that Utah has real problems defining what should be porn. A big chunk of the state’s Mormon community thinks that mainstream magazines and lingerie catalogues are porn.

Even if Cox signs the measure, it wouldn't go into effect unless five other states also enacted similar laws, a provision added after manufacturers and retailers voiced concerns that it would be difficult to implement the filters for a single state. So it is unlikely to see the light of day. Besides, the law would have to face the Supreme Court which would certainly throw it out.

Federal internet restrictions aimed at preventing kids from accessing porn were passed in the late 1990s and later struck down in the courts.