Technology (Online Safety)

in committee · Texas · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 4338: Relating to the use of safety management software for children on large social media platforms.

HB 4338, or "Sammy's Law," requires large social media platforms to create real-time data connections (APIs) allowing parents or legal guardians to delegate account management for children under 17 to third-party safety software providers. These APIs must enable the software to monitor for harmful content like cyberbullying, trafficking, or illegal activity while securely handling user data. Platforms must also disclose to parents and children when data is shared and summarize the transferred information. The Texas Department of Information Resources will oversee compliance, set standards, and conduct audits to ensure platforms follow these requirements.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure APIs for parental oversight of minors' social media, requiring data monitoring for safety while protecting privacy and disclosing data sharing - aligns with data privacy regulation and child safety protections.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Feb 27, 2025

HB 177: Relating to the purchase of online library resources for primary and secondary schools by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

HB 177 requires the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to use state funds to purchase online library resources for K-12 schools. These resources must meet standards set by the State Board of Education and comply with federal internet safety laws (47 U.S.C. § 254(h)(5)). Vendors must certify compliance, and non-compliant vendors face payment withholding or contract termination after 90 days. The Commission must annually report compliance issues to state leaders. This directly affects school districts funding the program, the Library Commission as purchaser, and vendors selling educational resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects state funds for K-12 library resources, funding public education through mandated appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly allocates state funds for K-12 library resources, mandates compliance standards, and enhances educational access through required online materials for schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds online library resources for schools with compliance to federal internet safety laws, expanding access and ensuring privacy protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Libraries Online Safety

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in committee · Texas · House May 14, 2025

HB 3862: Relating to prohibiting use of social media platforms by children.

HB 3862 prohibits children under 18 from using social media platforms in Texas. The bill requires social media companies to verify users are 18+ using government-issued ID before allowing account creation (Section 120.113) and bans platforms from permitting minors to access their services (Section 120.112). Violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices under Texas law. The bill applies to platforms with over 50 million U.S. monthly active users. It is currently pending in the Texas legislature after committee review.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts minors' access to social media via mandatory age verification and bans, limiting technology use for a demographic per bill sections 120.112-120.113.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 28, 2025

SB 1298: Relating to instruction in online safety for minors provided in public schools and by the Department of Public Safety.

SB 1298 requires Texas public school districts (K-12) to include online safety instruction as part of their required curriculum, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The curriculum must cover specific topics like safe social media use, preventing oversharing of personal information, identifying cyberbullying and online predators, and reporting suspicious activity. Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety must develop a public safety education plan that includes online safety instruction for citizens under 18. The bill specifies these exact topics for school curricula and references existing law for further detail.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates online safety curriculum in K-12 schools, strengthening educational requirements for student safety and digital literacy as part of core curriculum.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires online safety curriculum covering cybersecurity awareness, data privacy protection, and digital rights education for minors, directly advancing cybersecurity and digital safety education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety Data Privacy Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 641: Relating to digital citizenship instruction in public schools.

HB 641 requires Texas public school districts to incorporate digital citizenship instruction into their curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It specifically mandates that sixth-grade students complete this instruction as part of their social studies curriculum. The bill defines digital citizenship to include media literacy (such as identifying credible information and analyzing AI-generated content), digital ethics and respectful online behavior, and cyberbullying prevention. This affects all Texas public school districts and their sixth-grade students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates digital citizenship curriculum for 6th graders including AI literacy and cyberbullying prevention, strengthening K-12 educational standards and curriculum requirements.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates digital citizenship education including AI content analysis and media literacy, promoting responsible tech use and digital literacy per bill's curriculum requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Artificial Intelligence Online Safety

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in committee · Texas · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 2152: Relating to third-party software providers' ability to manage certain users' social media accounts.

SB 2152 requires social media platforms in Texas to create and provide real-time tools (APIs) allowing parents or guardians to delegate management of a child's account to third-party software providers. This directly affects minors using social media and their parents/guardians, enabling them to manage the child's online activity, content, and account settings through approved third-party tools. The bill mandates that platforms offer these management capabilities on the same terms as the child's own account access. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all social media platforms operating in Texas.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires social media platforms to provide parental control APIs for minors' accounts, enhancing data privacy and consumer protection through third-party management tools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 4189: Relating to content filters provided by Internet service providers.

HB 4189 requires Texas internet service providers (ISPs) to offer customers a free, optional content filter that blocks access to explicit material defined as visual depictions of sexual conduct or intimate body parts. The filter must prevent customers from accessing such material when enabled and notify them when blocking occurs. It directly affects all Texas customers who subscribe to internet service, giving them the choice to activate the filter at no additional cost. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not mandate filters but requires ISPs to make them available.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates free content filters for consumer protection, aligning with regulating ISPs to enhance user safety online per topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 4298: Relating to parental controls and filters for certain explicit material on electronic devices; providing a civil penalty.

HB 4298 requires electronic device manufacturers selling in Texas to automatically enable filters on devices activated in the state. The filters must block minors (under 18) from accessing explicit content - including images of intimate parts, sexual conduct, or simulated sexual material - via mobile data, internet, or manufacturer apps. Users must be notified when content is blocked, and parents/guardians can bypass the filter with a password. Manufacturers who fail to comply face civil penalties, directly affecting device sellers and minor users in Texas.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates device filters for minor safety, regulating tech companies for consumer protection under privacy and safety subjects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 1459: Relating to public school policies regarding student possession of personal communication devices and Internet safety.

SB 1459 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student possession of personal communication devices (like phones, tablets, or smartwatches) during school hours on campus, with specific exceptions for devices needed for individualized education plans, medical needs, or legal requirements. Schools must allow device use during instruction or non-instructional periods like lunch, and policies must be developed through public meetings with notice and comment periods. The bill also mandates schools establish monitoring plans to track policy effectiveness, provide policies to parents online, and requires the Texas Education Agency to create a model policy. This law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts student personal device use during school hours, limiting internet access per bill's prohibitions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 4976: Relating to age verification requirements for digital service providers.

HB 4976 requires digital service providers (like social media platforms) operating in Texas to verify the age of users before creating accounts. Specifically, providers must collect a user’s age during sign-up and verify it using reliable methods for anyone 18 or older. Users under 18 are treated as minors until they turn 18 and their age is verified. The law applies only to new accounts created on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing accounts. It directly impacts digital platforms serving Texas residents.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification for digital services, enhancing privacy protections for minors and aligning with data privacy regulations under Electronic Information Systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media

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