State Rep. Jared Patterson from North Texas believes kids under 18 using social media is as harmful as the use of cigarettes before 1964.
Thus, Patterson recently introduced a new bill that would ban the use of social media for anyone under the age of 18.
"Once thought to be perfectly safe for users, social media access to minors has led to remarkable rises in self-harm, suicide, and mental health issues," Patterson said.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter require users to be at least 13 years old to join but don't require any proof of age, but under HB 896, these sites would be forced to verify a user's age with a photo ID, and allow parents to request the removal of their child's account.
Greg Sindelar, CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said per FOX 4, "The harms social media poses to minors are demonstrable not just in the internal research from the very social media companies that create these addictive products, but in the skyrocketing depression, anxiety, and even suicide rates we are seeing afflict children.
"We are tremendously grateful for Rep. Jared Patterson's leadership on keeping this precious population safe, and TPPF is fully supportive of prohibiting social media access to minors to prevent the perpetual harms of social media from devastating the next generation of Texans."
"Social media is the pre-1964 cigarette. Once thought to be perfectly safe for users, social media access to minors has led to remarkable rises in self-harm, suicide, and mental health issues." stated Rep. Patterson.
— Rep. Jared Patterson (@JaredLPatterson) December 7, 2022
cc: @TPPF https://t.co/1lgdyuL3dp
Patterson represents District 106, which includes parts of Denton County.
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