WASHINGTON: Texas is poised to become the second US state to enforce a sweeping ban on social media use by minors, as the state legislature prepares to conclude its current session, according to US media reports.
NBC News reported that the legislation, if enacted, would represent the strictest state-level restriction on youth access to social media to date.
The bill, which has already cleared the Texas House and is expected to pass the Senate, is part of a growing nationwide push to regulate minors’ digital activity due to concerns over mental health, online safety, and data privacy.
Under the proposed law, individuals under the age of 18 would be prohibited from creating or using accounts on social media platforms.
Companies would be legally required to verify users’ ages and allow parents to request deletion of their child’s account, which must be executed within 10 days.
The bill categorises violations as “deceptive trade practices,” making companies liable for civil penalties and subject to lawsuits for financial damages.
Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, told NBC News that “safety and online privacy for Texas children remain a priority,” adding that the governor would “thoughtfully review any legislation sent to his desk that seeks to accomplish these goals.”
Texas would follow Florida, which became the first US state to enforce such a ban last year. Florida’s law prohibits children under 14 from joining social media platforms and requires parental consent for users aged 14 and 15.
Legal experts and civil liberties groups have raised concerns about the constitutionality of such measures.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has argued that the laws amount to censorship and violate First Amendment rights.
Vera Eidelman, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy and Technology Project, told NBC News that the restrictions “cut off an entire universe of information” from young users.
Mental health professionals also have mixed views. Dr Mitch Prinstein of the American Psychological Association (APA) acknowledged the harms associated with features like “endless scroll” and “like counts,” but warned that a blanket age ban was not a comprehensive solution.
“That’s like delaying the age of driving but not having any driver’s ed,” he said. The APA has repeatedly called for stronger protections for adolescents but has urged lawmakers to pursue more targeted policies rather than outright bans.
Similar legislation has been introduced or passed in several other states. The Nebraska Legislature recently approved a bill requiring parental consent for social media accounts for those under 18.
Connecticut’s state House narrowly passed a similar measure. Lawmakers in Minnesota, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have also moved forward with age-based restrictions or related policies.
However, several of these efforts have faced significant legal pushback. In states such as Ohio, Arkansas and California, courts have struck down similar laws on the grounds of free speech violations.
Utah’s 2023 social media curfew for minors was scaled back following legal challenges.
NetChoice, a tech industry group representing companies including Meta, Google and X, has been at the forefront of legal opposition to such laws.
Chris Marchese, NetChoice’s director of litigation, criticised the Texas bill as a “censorship regime masquerading as an online safety law,” warning that it could endanger the First Amendment rights of all Americans.
In response to public pressure, social media companies have introduced several safety features in recent years.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has launched tools such as usage alerts, parental controls, and reduced exposure to sensitive content for teen users.
TikTok has implemented a 60-minute daily screen time limit for users under 18 and introduced restrictions on direct messaging, livestreaming, and notifications at night.
