Texas is about to ban social media for teenagers

I grew up in a world where social media was just starting to shape teen culture. Now, states are moving to shut that door entirely, and Texas is pushing the hardest. If you’re a teen in Texas, your TikTok days might be numbered.

Recently, the Texas House committee passed a bill, with a 116-25 vote, that would ban anyone under 18 from using social media. Not just limit it. Ban it. The proposed law—House Bill 18—requires platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat to verify users’ ages with commercial tools and delete accounts at a parent’s request.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Jared Patterson, is now awaiting Senate approval. It has until the state's legislative session ends on June 2, which leaves about a week for it to be approved by both the Senate and the governor.

Texas bans the use of TikTok on government-issued devices

U.S. Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott wants Chinese-owned, short-form video platform TikTok off all state-issued devices to “preserve the safety and cybersecurity of Texans.” Citing concerns over the app being partially owned by the Chinese Communist Party and because it offers a “trove of potentially sensitive information to the

TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji

While Texas is charging ahead, it’s not alone in this fight against social media for teens. Florida already made headlines last year when Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill banning anyone under 14 from social media and requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds. But compared to Texas’ all-out ban for anyone under 18, Florida’s law looks lenient.

Zoom out further, and the federal government is also eyeing stricter rules. In April 2024, the U.S. Senate introduced a bill to ban kids under 13 from social platforms entirely. Though it stalled in committee, recent comments by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) suggest they’re preparing to try again.

The motivation? Lawmakers are citing growing concerns over teen mental health, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. Supporters argue it’s time for the government to step in where tech companies have failed to protect kids.

Meta agrees to pay Texas a record $1.4 billion settlement over privacy violation

Despite agreeing to the hefty payout, the company has maintained its innocence, noting that the settlement does not constitute an admission of guilt.

TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji

But critics aren’t letting it slide. Civil rights advocates argue the Texas bill tramples on First Amendment rights and raises privacy concerns, especially with the required age verification tools. Even Apple CEO Tim Cook personally contacted Texas Governor Greg Abbott to raise objections, warning that the bill could set a dangerous precedent for user privacy.

We’re watching a national tug-of-war unfold between safety, surveillance, and digital freedom. If Texas succeeds in passing this law, it’ll set a new standard for how far states are willing to go to reshape young people’s lives online. Whether it’s protection or overreach may depend entirely on your perspective, and your age.