REP. PATTERSON FILES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN UNDER 16 FROM HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

AUSTIN, TX – State Representative Jared Patterson has filed HB 212 to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, renewing his longstanding effort to protect Texas children from the growing dangers associated with social media.

“For years, parents have watched their children become increasingly consumed by platforms that are engineered to capture their attention and keep them coming back,” said Patterson. “These companies have built enormously profitable businesses around the attention of our children, while families are left dealing with the consequences. We cannot continue treating this as business as usual.”

Governments around the world are increasingly recognizing the dangers and taking action. Australia implemented a nationwide prohibition on social media accounts for children under 16 in December 2025. Malaysia and Indonesia have advanced restrictions targeting younger users, while Greece, Turkey, and other nations have adopted or pursued similar age-based protections.

Meanwhile, recent landmark court decisions in the United States have provided some of the strongest legal findings yet concerning the dangers these platforms pose to children.

In March 2026, a New Mexico jury found Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, liable for misleading consumers about platform safety and endangering children, imposing $375 million in civil penalties. A subsequent court ruling found Meta’s platforms constituted a public nuisance and ordered additional remedies and court-supervised reforms, bringing the total judgment to $942 million.

Just one day after the New Mexico jury verdict, a California jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in designing or operating platforms that contributed to a young woman’s mental health injuries beginning in childhood. The jury awarded $6 million in damages, finding that the companies failed to adequately warn users about the dangers associated with their products. Both companies have challenged the verdict.

“These are no longer just warnings from concerned parents or researchers,” Patterson said. “Juries have now heard the evidence and held some of the world’s largest technology companies accountable for harming children. The question is how much more evidence lawmakers need before taking meaningful action.”

During the 89th Legislative Session, Patterson authored HB 186, one of the nation’s most comprehensive proposals to restrict social media access for children under the age of 18. The legislation passed the Texas House with overwhelming bipartisan support, receiving 116 votes in favor and just 25 against.

With the leadership and hard work of Senator Adam Hinojosa, the legislation subsequently advanced through the Senate State Affairs Committee on an 8-3 vote and was placed on the Senate intent calendar, putting it within reach of a final vote by the full Senate. Unfortunately, the legislative session ended before that vote could occur.

For the 90th Legislative Session, Patterson has filed HB 212, refining the proposal to establish a minimum age of 16 for social media access, rather than the under-18 restriction proposed last session.

“Last session, we proved that protecting children is not a partisan issue, passing this legislation overwhelmingly in the House and coming within reach of the Governor’s desk,” Patterson said. “We’ve refined our approach to focus on children under 16, and this session, we intend to finish the job. Texas children deserve nothing less.