Source: Texas Capitol

Texas State Representative Jared Patterson has introduced a bill aimed at banning individuals under 18 from accessing social media. House Bill 186, filed as lawmakers began pre-filing for the 89th Legislative Session, seeks to address concerns over the impact of social media on minorsโ€™ mental health and overall well-being. If passed, the bill would go into effect on September 1, 2025, requiring social media companies to implement stringent age-verification measures and empowering parents to delete their childrenโ€™s accounts.

Stricter Age Verification and Parental Control

Under the proposed law, social media platforms would be mandated to verify the age of every user to ensure compliance with the new minimum age requirement of 18. The bill also grants parents the authority to request account deletions for their children, obligating platforms to honour these requests or face legal repercussions. Failure to comply could result in these companies being charged with โ€œdeceptive trade practices,โ€ opening them to potential legal action by the Texas attorney general.

Texas Law Preventing Social Media Bans Based on Political Viewpoints Has Backing From Just Over Half of Voters
Source: Morning Consult rate

Addressing Mental Health Concerns

Patterson, a Republican from Frisco, cites growing concerns over the link between social media usage and rising rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm among minors. In a statement, he remarked, โ€œHeavily addictive social media platforms are destroying the lives of children in Texas. Record increases in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide have coincided with the rapid rise in social media use by minors.โ€ According to Patterson, restricting minors from social media is an essential step to protect their mental health and reduce the negative psychological impacts of these platforms.

The bill has sparked considerable debate over the role of government in regulating minorsโ€™ access to technology. Supporters argue that social mediaโ€™s addictive design and often harmful content are too powerful for minors to navigate safely, while critics express concerns about governmental overreach and the potential limitations on free expression and digital literacy for young people. They also question the feasibility of enforcing such age restrictions and the effectiveness of age-verification processes.

Hooked on Tech Habits: How Social Media Can Lead to Depression
Source: Nir Eyal

A Larger Trend in Social Media Legislation

Texas joins a growing list of states considering regulations to curb social media use among minors. As lawmakers nationwide grapple with the effects of social media on youth, bills like House Bill 186 reflect a broader push to protect young users from the potential harms of unrestricted online access. As the Texas legislative session begins on January 14, 2025, the proposal will undoubtedly spark further discussion and scrutiny from parents, tech companies, and civil rights advocates alike.

If passed, House Bill 186 could set a precedent, inspiring other states to follow suit in regulating minorsโ€™ access to social media.

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Usman Kashmirwala
Your thoughts are your biggest asset in this world and as a content writer, you get a chance to pen down these thoughts and make them eternal. I am Usman Kashmirwala, apart from being a movie maniac, car geek and a secret singer, I am a guy lucky enough to be working in a profession that allows me to showcase my opinions and vision to the world every day and do my little part in making it a better place for all of us.