The Texas House of Representatives has passed two bills aimed at increasing online safety for minors and sent them to the Senate. One bill proposes a ban on social media for minors, while the other would mandate social media platforms to display warning labels about potential mental health impacts.
These legislative efforts reflect a growing concern among Texas lawmakers regarding the dangers children face online. House Bill 186, authored by Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), is a key piece of this initiative. It seeks to prevent minors from creating social media accounts, implement age verification for new users, and grant parents the authority to demand the deletion of their child’s account, requiring companies to comply within 10 days. Patterson emphasized the bill’s significance, stating it would allow children “to be kids again.” The bill passed the House with 116 votes.
The House also passed House Bill 499, introduced by Representative Mary González (D-Clint). This bill would require social media platforms to include a warning label addressing the link between social media use by minors and significant mental health issues. 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.
Other related bills, including House Bill 4456, which would mandate age verification, and House Bill 4338, focused on requiring third-party safety software for managing children’s online interactions, are currently under consideration in committees.
These legislative actions are part of a broader trend in Texas and other states to address the negative impacts of social media. Patterson stressed the urgency of these measures, warning that the harms observed in children today will worsen without intervention.
Studies indicate widespread social media use among youth, with 95% of 13- to 17-year-olds reporting usage and over a third being online “almost constantly.” Furthermore, nearly 40% of children aged 8 to 12 use social media despite minimum age requirements, leading to concerns about the long-term effects on this “chronically online” generation.
