Will Teens be Banned from Social Media? A TX Lawmaker is Trying

How would you feel if social media was restricted to adults only?

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Earlier this week, Jared Patterson, the Republican State Representative for District 106, said he’s got big plans for next year’s legislative session. The Frisco, Texas Republican announced on Twitter that he plans to file a bill that would ban social media use for all Texas minors, according to the Dallas Observer. Patterson wants the minimum age of 13 for social media use raised to 18, the age when teens become legal adults.

Not everyone agreed with him, as a response from the Libertarian Party showed:

Texas GOP Bans

Lawmakers passed legislation last year aimed at preventing suspected online censorship against conservatives, but the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the law earlier this year. They’ve also banned abortion, created a banned book list, and are working to ban family-friendly drag shows.

The Texas GOP also refused a booth representing Log Cabin Republicans (a group for LGBTQ Republicans) last month at the state convention, causing an online debate about the treatment of gay conservatives, according to Newsweek.

2022 Teen Smartphone Statistics

A Pew Research Center survey from 2022 shows that 95% of teenagers have access to a smartphone. Research also found that teens tend to spend more than four hours on social media each day, and 56% of American teenagers say if they don't have their smartphone it causes negative emotions.

In addition, 60% of teens surveyed would rather spend time online with friends than in real life. In one of the most disturbing statistics, 45% of American children aged 10–12 have a smartphone, according to information from Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Hook ‘Em! 7 Celebrity Graduates From University of Texas at Austin

When you think of the University of Texas at Austin, what comes to your mind first? Is it celebrities? Of course, some celebrities are more vocal than others about their alma mater. Matthew McConaughey lets everyone know where he came from, so no surprises there. The actor is also a Professor of Practice at the university's Moody College of Communication, and graduated in 1993 with a Radio/TV/Film degree from UTA.

Aside from McConaughey, you might be surprised at some of the famous people who picked up a degree in the Lone Star State's capital city.

21 Texas Town Names Outsiders Can't Pronounce

Have you ever heard someone call Killeen "Kye-lean" or Salado "Salad-oh"? That's just the tip of the Texas mispronunciation iceberg. Here are the towns and cities most folks who didn't grow up in Texas don't have a clue how to pronounce.