AUSTIN, Texas—As part of a sweeping online safety effort endorsed by the Republican-controlled state legislature, Texas lawmakers have advanced a proposed ban on social media for people under 18 to the state Senate after receiving an endorsement from the Texas House of Representatives.
The proposal, House Bill (HB) 186, was introduced by Republican state Rep. Jared Patterson of Frisco. Rep. Patterson described the bill as regulating "the most dangerous legal product that children have access to," which he identifies as social media in its entirety.
“Due to constant social media use, self-harm rates have skyrocketed, up 48 percent for boys and a staggering 188 percent for young girls,” Patterson said via KVUE. "Suicide rates for boys rose 91 percent and by 67 percent for girls."
What is unique to this measure is that it serves as an outright ban for minors to use mainstream social media platforms. If HB 186 passes, this would be a first in the nation. An effective date of September 1, 2025 is denoted in the legislation.
