The Texas House of Representatives has passed House Bill 186, a measure that would prohibit individuals under the age of 18 from creating or using social media accounts. The bill, authored by Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), aims to address concerns over the mental health and safety of young users, citing alarming statistics about the impact of social media on minors.
The bill passed with bipartisan support in a 116-25 vote on Wednesday and now moves to the Texas Senate for further consideration. If enacted, the law would require social media platforms to implement strict age verification processes and allow parents to request the deletion of their child’s account. Violations of the law would be treated as deceptive trade practices, with enforcement handled by the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Rep. Patterson described social media as "the most dangerous legal product that children have access to" and emphasized the urgency of the legislation. “Self-harm rates have skyrocketed, body image issues among girls are at an all-time high, and aggression among boys is rising—all directly correlated to social media usage,” Patterson stated during the House session. He dedicated the bill to children who have lost their lives due to the harms of social media, including David Molak, a Texas teenager who died by suicide after being cyberbullied.
Under the proposed law, social media companies would be required to verify users’ ages through commercially reasonable methods, such as public or private transactional data. The restrictions would not apply to email services, gaming platforms, or websites primarily focused on news, sports, or entertainment. If passed, the law would take effect on September 1, 2025, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2026.
Critics of the bill have raised concerns about privacy and the potential for social media companies to collect even more data on users. Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) questioned whether the verification process might exacerbate existing data collection practices. Patterson acknowledged these concerns but argued that the benefits of protecting children outweigh the risks.
The bill is part of a broader effort by Texas lawmakers to regulate social media and mitigate its harmful effects on youth. Other measures under consideration include requiring warning labels on social media platforms about their association with mental health issues and mandating third-party safety software to manage online interactions for minors.
As the bill heads to the Senate, it is expected to face legal challenges from tech companies, which have historically opposed government mandates on the industry, citing First Amendment concerns. However, supporters of the legislation remain optimistic about its potential to safeguard the well-being of Texas children.
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