Texas lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that includes a ban on social media for minors, signaling a stronger stance on online safety. This bill is one of several initiatives proposed this session to address online risks to children in Texas.

House Bill 186, authored by Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), has passed the House. It would prevent minors from creating social media accounts and mandate age verification for new users. The bill also grants parents the right to request the deletion of their child’s social media account, requiring companies to comply within 10 days. Representative Patterson described the bill as crucial, stating it would allow children to have a more typical childhood.

The House also passed House Bill 499, sponsored by Representative Mary González (D-Clint). This bill would require social media platforms to display a warning label about the link between minors’ social media use and significant mental health issues. Representative González drew a parallel to cigarette warning labels, noting their effectiveness.

Both bills are anticipated to receive support in the Senate, potentially leading to new regulations for platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram later this year or early next year. However, if enacted, these laws are expected to face legal challenges from tech companies, which often argue that such government mandates infringe upon First Amendment free speech rights.

Additional related legislation still under committee review includes House Bill 4456, requiring social media platforms to verify the age of account holders, and House Bill 4338, mandating the creation and maintenance of third-party safety software to manage online interactions for children.

These legislative efforts are part of a broader trend in Texas and other states to address the harmful effects of social media. Representative Patterson emphasized that inaction would worsen the current negative impacts on children.

Studies indicate widespread social media use among youth, with 95% of those aged 13 to 17 reporting usage and over a third using it almost constantly. Nearly 40% of children aged 8 to 12 also use social media, despite most platforms’ minimum age requirement of 13. This has led to concerns about the long-term effects on a generation that is frequently online.

Two years ago, organizations such as the American Federation of Teachers and the American Psychological Association highlighted the negative impacts of social media on classroom learning, school costs, and youth mental health. A report at the time detailed the significant challenges school districts face due to the pervasive influence of technology in the classroom.

In the same year, Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 18, the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. This law requires digital service providers to offer minors data protections, prevent access to harmful content, and provide parents with tools to manage their child’s online activity. It also mandated that school districts obtain parental consent for most software and social media applications used in schools and seek alternatives to internet-based instruction.

For mental health support, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s free help line at 800-662-4357 or contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.