In what could become the most far-reaching law of its kind in the United States, Texas is close to banning all residents under 18 from joining social media platforms. Supporters call it a bold step to protect kids’ mental health. Critics warn it’s a dangerous overreach and possibly unconstitutional.
If passed by the state Senate in the coming days, Texas House Bill 18 would make it illegal for minors to hold or create social media accounts. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat would be required to verify users’ ages, delete minors' accounts if requested by parents within 10 days, and face fines or lawsuits for noncompliance. The bill has already cleared the Texas House with bipartisan support and is likely headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
“Safety and online privacy for Texas children remain a priority,” said Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Gov. Abbott, adding the governor will “thoughtfully review” the legislation.
Human impact vs. constitutional rights
To understand the emotional core of this story, look no further than parents like Angela Martinez, a mother in San Antonio, whose 13-year-old daughter secretly joined a platform last year. “She was scrolling past midnight, getting bombarded with weight-loss videos,” Martinez said. “She began skipping meals. I felt helpless.”
That sense of helplessness is fueling momentum behind legislation in at least 27 states this year. Florida already passed a law barring under-14s from using social media and requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. A federal judge let that law stand in March, but lawsuits are ongoing.
Opposition is growing louder, too — especially from digital rights groups like the ACLU. “These bills cut off an entire universe of information and conversation from young people,” said Vera Eidelman of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. “It’s a First Amendment issue.”
Tech giants are also mobilizing. Apple CEO Tim Cook personally called Gov. Abbott to object, warning that such laws could compromise user privacy by forcing invasive ID verification. Trade group NetChoice, which represents Meta, Google, and X, calls the bill a “censorship regime masquerading as an online safety law.” They've vowed to sue if the bill is enacted.
Experts say the brain’s not ready, but neither is the law
Psychologists say something needs to change. “These are things that don’t fit with the adolescent brain like endless scroll and ‘like counts,’” said Dr. Mitch Prinstein of the American Psychological Association. But he added: “An age ban? That’s like delaying the age of driving but not having any driver’s ed. It just delays the risk, doesn’t solve it.”
Indeed, the APA has urged Congress to act, but with more tailored reforms, such as stronger design standards and digital literacy education rather than blanket bans.
Platforms say they're already changing
Meta and TikTok say they’ve implemented features to protect teens, like screen time limits, nighttime nudges, and restricted messaging. But a recent test by The Washington Post found teens still exposed to body image content and dangerous trends on Instagram, despite these tools.
Legal analysts believe Texas’s law, if passed, will face an immediate constitutional challenge. Similar laws in Arkansas, Ohio, and California were blocked by federal courts on free speech grounds.
Yet for families on the front lines of America’s mental health crisis, the fight isn’t legal but deeply personal.
“We’re not trying to raise kids in a bubble,” Martinez said. “We just want them to have a chance to grow up without being addicted to a screen.”
If passed by the state Senate in the coming days, Texas House Bill 18 would make it illegal for minors to hold or create social media accounts. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat would be required to verify users’ ages, delete minors' accounts if requested by parents within 10 days, and face fines or lawsuits for noncompliance. The bill has already cleared the Texas House with bipartisan support and is likely headed to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk.
“Safety and online privacy for Texas children remain a priority,” said Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Gov. Abbott, adding the governor will “thoughtfully review” the legislation.
Human impact vs. constitutional rights
To understand the emotional core of this story, look no further than parents like Angela Martinez, a mother in San Antonio, whose 13-year-old daughter secretly joined a platform last year. “She was scrolling past midnight, getting bombarded with weight-loss videos,” Martinez said. “She began skipping meals. I felt helpless.”
That sense of helplessness is fueling momentum behind legislation in at least 27 states this year. Florida already passed a law barring under-14s from using social media and requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. A federal judge let that law stand in March, but lawsuits are ongoing.
Opposition is growing louder, too — especially from digital rights groups like the ACLU. “These bills cut off an entire universe of information and conversation from young people,” said Vera Eidelman of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. “It’s a First Amendment issue.”
Tech giants are also mobilizing. Apple CEO Tim Cook personally called Gov. Abbott to object, warning that such laws could compromise user privacy by forcing invasive ID verification. Trade group NetChoice, which represents Meta, Google, and X, calls the bill a “censorship regime masquerading as an online safety law.” They've vowed to sue if the bill is enacted.
Experts say the brain’s not ready, but neither is the law
Psychologists say something needs to change. “These are things that don’t fit with the adolescent brain like endless scroll and ‘like counts,’” said Dr. Mitch Prinstein of the American Psychological Association. But he added: “An age ban? That’s like delaying the age of driving but not having any driver’s ed. It just delays the risk, doesn’t solve it.”
Indeed, the APA has urged Congress to act, but with more tailored reforms, such as stronger design standards and digital literacy education rather than blanket bans.
Platforms say they're already changing
Meta and TikTok say they’ve implemented features to protect teens, like screen time limits, nighttime nudges, and restricted messaging. But a recent test by The Washington Post found teens still exposed to body image content and dangerous trends on Instagram, despite these tools.
Legal analysts believe Texas’s law, if passed, will face an immediate constitutional challenge. Similar laws in Arkansas, Ohio, and California were blocked by federal courts on free speech grounds.
Yet for families on the front lines of America’s mental health crisis, the fight isn’t legal but deeply personal.
“We’re not trying to raise kids in a bubble,” Martinez said. “We just want them to have a chance to grow up without being addicted to a screen.”
