Texas seeks to ban social media for minors

Texas Representative Jared Patterson is pushing for a new law to restrict social media access for minors. He believes that social media is very harmful to young people. Patterson cites high rates of mental health issues among youth, including self-harm and body image problems, which he connects to social media use. The proposed law, known as House Bill 186, aims to ban social media accounts for users under 18. It would require platforms to verify the age of their users. Additionally, it would give parents the power to close their children's accounts, and the Texas Attorney General could take action against companies that do not comply. Patterson compares this regulation to past laws aimed at pornography websites, suggesting social media should follow similar rules. Critics of the bill raise concerns about free speech and parental rights. However, Patterson insists that the state must protect children from addiction, much like it does with substances like drugs and tobacco. He also acknowledges that some minors might try to bypass the restrictions. Still, he believes that enforcement will be strong, making it clear that companies could face consequences for allowing underage access. Patterson is open to adjusting the age requirement if the bill is close to passing.