Texas is stepping into uncharted territory with a bold proposal that could reshape the digital landscape for young people.
A new bill making its way through the Texas State Senate aims to ban social media access for anyone under 18.
If passed, this law would mark a significant shift in how social media platforms interact with minors, raising questions about privacy, parental control, and the future of online engagement for teens.
Currently, the bill has passed the House committee and is poised for a final vote in the Senate before the legislative session ends on June 2, 2025.
If approved, the law will require social media platforms to verify the age of users, ensuring that minors cannot create accounts without appropriate checks.
Much like the state’s recent legislation on adult websites, which mandates age verification, this new measure targets social media giants and aims to give parents more power over their children’s online lives.
What sets Texas’ proposed law apart from other states is its strict provisions.
While Florida’s recent law bans those under 14 from social media, Texas is pushing for an outright ban for minors under 18, giving parents unprecedented control.
Parents would have the authority to delete their child’s social media accounts, with platforms facing fines if they fail to comply within 10 days.
This move comes at a time when social media addiction and online safety concerns for young people are at an all-time high.
Critics argue that while the bill may protect children from harmful online content, it could also infringe on personal freedoms and limit the benefits of social media, like networking and learning.
As Texas becomes the next battleground for social media regulation, other states and the US Senate are watching closely.
With similar bills proposed in other states and at the federal level, the Texas decision could be the start of a new era of online restrictions, changing how minors access social media for years to come.
As the bill nears a vote, it’s raising questions about the future of online access for minors. Will other states follow suit?
