Texas Lawmakers Push to Ban Social Media for Minors Under 18

Momentum for Social Media Ban

• 🎯 Texas lawmakers are nearing the passage of a bill to prohibit minors under 18 from creating social media accounts.
• 💡 This effort follows multiple sessions of study and advocacy, with a recent joint committee hearing highlighting the harms perpetrated on youth by social media companies.
• 🚀 The bill aims to be the strictest in the nation, requiring social media platforms to verify user ages or face legal consequences from the Texas Attorney General's office.

Documented Harms to Youth

• ⚠️ The bill is driven by alarming statistics, including an 188% rise in ER visits for self-harm among girls and significant increases in suicide rates for both boys and girls, all correlated with social media use.
• 🚫 Social media companies have consistently refused to appear before Texas legislative committees to address these harms.
• 🧠 The US Surgeon General has likened social media to cigarettes in terms of its addictive nature and potential harm to young people.

Addressing Concerns for Athletes

• 📢 Concerns about teen athletes being at a disadvantage are addressed by allowing parents to create and manage accounts for their children.
• ✅ These parent-managed accounts can be used to promote athletic skills, share videos, and communicate with recruiters on behalf of the child.
• 🔑 The core of the bill is preventing minors themselves from accessing these harmful products directly.

Broader Legislative Session Successes

• 🤝 The current legislative session is described as remarkable due to strong partnership between the Speaker of the House, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor.
• 📈 Key achievements include significant funding increases for public schools, a major school choice program, restrictions on foreign land ownership, and substantial property tax relief.

Unsuccessful Legislation

• 💔 A bill concerning ethical pet sales is mentioned as a personal priority that did not pass this session, but the representative vows to continue advocating for it.