Texas Lawmaker Proposes Age-Restricted Social Media Access

Texas - A controversial law banning Texas minors from using social media is moving closer to approval than its opponents believed it ever could.

Texas Bill 186: Social Media Ban for Under 18s

On November 12th, 2024, Texas Representative Jared Patterson, a republican in Frisco, filed House Bill 186 which would prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from starting their own social media accounts. The bill would require anyone attempting to create an account to provide a verification of their age. The bill would also make it possible for the parents of children to submit a request that would result in the removal of their child's social media accounts. Per the new law the request for removal would need to be complied with within 10 days of submission.

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️ Age Verification & Parental Control: Key Aspects of HB 186

This Bill along with the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (KOSA) are just two of the proposed governmental regulations in the United States of America that are an attempt at protecting children from the dangers of the internet. The question that many people wondering, "Is the government overstepping its bounds in telling children what they can access on the internet?" For example, in November of 2024 the government in Australia banned anyone under the age of 16 from being able to create social media accounts.

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️ Tech Giants Likely to Challenge Texas Social Media Restrictions

Of course, Tech Companies will more than likely file lawsuits against the approval of these bills. In the past they have filed suits against similar laws under the guise that they violate the First Amendment right of free speech.

The bills are expected to pass with the majority conservative members of congress.