Texas is close to becoming the next U.S. state to heavily restrict minors’ access to social media. A proposed bill banning users under 18 from using social platforms has passed a Senate committee and now awaits a full Senate vote.
Parents Gain New Powers
If passed, the law would require age verification for all users before account creation. It would also allow parents to request deletion of their child’s account, with platforms given 10 days to comply or face penalties from the Texas Attorney General.
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This proposal builds on a previous Texas law requiring age checks for adult content sites.
Broader Than Other States’ Laws
Compared to Florida’s recent law—which bans users under 14 and requires parental consent for 14–15-year-olds—Texas’s version is stricter, banning all users under 18 regardless of parental consent.
Federal Momentum
At the national level, the U.S. Senate introduced a similar bill in April 2024 to ban social media for kids under 13, though it stalled in committee. Senators Ted Cruz and Brian Schatz have expressed renewed support.
Rising Concerns
This legislative push reflects growing concern over online safety, mental health, and privacy for minors.
The bill must clear the Texas Senate and be signed by the governor by June 2 to become law.
