Texas Set To Ban Social Media Use By Those Under 18

May 24, 2025 Republicans, Social Media

If enacted, Texas’ bill would put in place vast new restrictions that explicitly bar every Texas resident under 18 years old from signing up for and using “a social media platform.”

The legislation would require all social media platforms to verify the age of all people setting up an account. It would allow parents to request that the platforms delete their child’s social media account — and require the companies to do so as well within 10 days.

Violations are defined in the bill as “deceptive trade practices,” meaning that they would be both punishable with fines from the state’s attorney general and subject to lawsuits for financial damages. The Texas House has passed the bill and the state Senate is expected to as well.

Read the full article. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jared Patterson [above right], previously appeared here for authoring his state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law and for his bill which would effectively criminalize drag shows. Patterson appeared here in 2023 when he agreed to forward a $2500 donation from a group affiliated with Nazi leader Nick Fuentes to a pro-Israel nonprofit.

Florida is facing court challenges to a similar law which bans minors 14 and under from having social media accounts.

The Texas Legislature has already passed a bill requiring age verification to download apps and is seriously considering another to ban children from social media. https://t.co/EievHPuQbj

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) May 20, 2025