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 minors’ 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 children’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 “deceptive trade practices,” opening them to potential legal action by the Texas attorney general.
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, “Heavily 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.” 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 minors’ access to technology. Supporters argue that social media’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.
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 minors’ access to social media.
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