The proposal follows an earlier law passed in Texas that mandates age verification for adult content websites.
Texas Wants to Ban Social Media for All Users Under 18۔ Texas is on the verge of becoming the next U.S. state to impose sweeping restrictions on youth access to social media. A bill that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using social media platforms has passed the Senate committee stage and is now headed to the full Texas State Senate for a vote.
Lawmakers have until June 2, the end of the state’s current legislative session, to finalize and pass the bill.
Parents can request account deletion
If enacted, the legislation would require social media platforms to verify users’ ages before allowing them to create accounts. The bill also gives parents the option to request that their child’s social media account be deleted, and the platforms would have 10 days to comply or face penalties imposed by the Texas Attorney General.
The proposal follows an earlier law passed in Texas that mandates age verification for adult content websites.
Tougher than other state laws
The Texas bill also goes further than similar laws recently passed in other states. In 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law that completely bans social media access for children under 14 and requires parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds.
The Texas version would be broader in scope, affecting all users under 18, regardless of parental permission.
Federal Efforts and the Broader Context
Texas is not alone in pushing for stricter regulation. At the federal level, the U.S. Senate introduced a bill in April 2024 to ban social media for children under 13. Although the bill stalled in committee, Senators Brian Sheetz (D-Hawaii) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have recently signaled renewed interest in advancing the measure.
The debate over youth access to social media continues to grow as lawmakers cite growing concerns about mental health, privacy and online safety for minors.
When will it take effect?
The Texas bill must be approved by the full state Senate, and then signed by the governor before it can become law. With the June 2 deadline approaching, the next week will be critical in determining whether Texas joins the growing list of states enacting legislation to limit youth access to digital platforms.
