The Texas Senate voted yesterday to advance one of the nation’s most sweeping social media restrictions for minors. The measure would prohibit Texans under 18 from creating accounts on popular platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Governor Greg Abbott has signaled strong support for the legislation, positioning Texas at the forefront of a growing national movement to limit young people’s access to social media.
“We’ve reached a tipping point where the documented harms of these platforms can no longer be ignored,” said Senator Bryan Hughes, the bill’s primary sponsor. Hughes cited studies showing increased rates of depression and anxiety among teen social media users during yesterday’s floor debate.
The legislation requires social media companies to verify users’ ages using government-issued identification or other “reasonable” methods. Companies failing to comply could face penalties of $50,000 per violation. The bill now moves to the House, where similar legislation has already gained significant support.
Governor Abbott praised the Senate’s action, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Texas is taking bold steps to protect our children from the documented harms of social media addiction.” His endorsement aligns with polling showing 70% of Texas parents support restrictions on youth social media access, according to a recent University of Texas survey.
Despite this momentum, legal experts question whether the law can withstand constitutional challenges. “This legislation faces significant First Amendment hurdles,” said Amanda Shanor, constitutional law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. “Courts have consistently viewed restrictions on internet access as limitations on free speech rights, particularly for older teenagers.”
Similar legislation in Ohio currently faces a federal lawsuit filed by NetChoice, an industry trade group representing Meta, TikTok, and other platforms. A federal judge blocked a comparable Arkansas law last year, ruling it likely violated the First Amendment.
Dr. Michael Robb, senior director of research at Common Sense Media, believes the Texas approach may be too broad. “While we need safeguards, complete bans can backfire. Many teens use these platforms for legitimate educational and social development purposes,” he told me during a phone interview yesterday.
The legislation arrives amid growing evidence linking social media use to adolescent mental health concerns. A 2023 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that teens spending more than three hours daily on social platforms experienced a 50% higher risk of anxiety disorders compared to minimal users.
The Surgeon General issued an advisory last year warning of “profound risks” social media poses to youth mental health. Texas lawmakers repeatedly referenced this advisory during debate, alongside testimony from parents describing dramatic behavioral changes in their children following social media exposure.
Industry representatives argue that companies have already implemented substantial safety measures. “Platforms have invested billions in age verification, content moderation, and parental controls,” said Carl Szabo, NetChoice’s vice president. “These tools provide families with options without government overreach.”
Yet proponents maintain existing safeguards are insufficient. “The industry had years to self-regulate effectively and failed,” Senator Hughes countered during floor debate. He pointed to internal Meta documents revealing the company knew Instagram was harmful to teenage girls but continued marketing to them.
The Texas approach differs from other states by imposing a complete ban rather than focusing on parental consent models. California recently implemented a digital safety law requiring age-appropriate design standards but stopped short of prohibiting access entirely.
For Mary Hernandez, a Dallas mother whose daughter struggled with an eating disorder she attributes to Instagram, the legislation offers hope. “These companies design their products to be addictive,” she said at a recent legislative hearing. “Parents need help protecting our children from algorithms designed to keep them scrolling.”
Several amendments were added before passage, including exceptions for educational platforms and messaging apps primarily used for communication. Critics note these carve-outs may create enforcement challenges and loopholes.
Ultimately, the Texas bill represents the most aggressive attempt yet to restrict youth social media access. Whether it survives inevitable legal challenges remains uncertain. What’s clear is that the national conversation about protecting young people online has shifted from voluntary guidelines to mandatory restrictions.
As one Republican senator remarked during debate, “We regulate children’s access to cigarettes, alcohol, and gambling. Why would we treat digital products designed to trigger dopamine responses any differently?”
The House is expected to vote on the measure next week, potentially sending it to Governor Abbott’s desk before the end of the month.
