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.
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.
SB 2825 requires Texas public schools to include Internet safety and keyboard use in the technology curriculum for all K-8 students. It specifically prohibits the State Board of Education from including coding, computer programming, computational thinking, or cybersecurity in the curriculum for grades K-5, and limits the use of electronic devices or the Internet to only what's necessary for Internet safety or keyboard lessons. The bill also mandates that the State Board of Education review and update the curriculum every five years (with a first review due by December 2026) to ensure it remains relevant to student education and aligns with current or emerging careers. This law applies directly to public school technology education standards in Texas.
HB 186 prohibits children under 18 from using social media platforms in Texas, subject to federal law. The bill defines "social media platform" to exclude email, internet service providers, news websites, and interactive gaming platforms. Social media platforms must verify users are 18 or older before account creation using a reasonable method relying on public or private data, then delete all verification information immediately. This law directly affects children under 18 and social media companies operating in Texas.
HB 581 requires websites and apps that let users create AI-generated sexual content resembling real people (e.g., using facial features or birthmarks) to verify users are 18+ before access. It directly affects commercial platforms offering these tools, such as AI content generators. The law mandates age verification using government ID, digital ID, or approved commercial systems, but prohibits retaining personal user data. These rules apply to platforms enabling creation of material defined as "harmful to minors" under Texas law, effective September 1, 2025.
