日本語
한국어
Tiếng Việt
简体中文
Texas is taking a firm stance on online child safety. A newly enacted law mandates that tech giants Apple and Google implement robust age verification systems. This will require users to prove their age and obtain parental consent before downloading apps or making in-app purchases.
Scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, the law aims to protect minors from inappropriate content and potentially harmful online interactions.
The Age Verification Battleground
The Texas law is part of a larger national debate about who should be responsible for verifying ages online. Tech companies like Apple and Google are facing increasing pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups to do more to protect children. They have also experienced pushback from social media platforms and app developers such as Meta, Snap, and Match Group who worry about the impact on user growth and revenue.
Texas is now among at least ten states, including Utah, that have introduced laws focused on online child safety. This is according to the Age Verification Providers Association.
Potential Social Media Ban Looms
While the age verification law marks a significant regulatory development, Texas lawmakers are also considering an even more controversial measure: a statewide ban on social media accounts for anyone under the age of 18. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly contacted Governor Greg Abbott to express his concerns about the legislation.
House Bill 186: A Sweeping Social Media Ban?
House Bill 186, which proposes the social media ban, has already passed the Texas House with bipartisan support and is expected to clear the Senate. If enacted, the law would prevent minors from creating accounts on major social media platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Snapchat.
The bill mandates age verification for all social media users and requires platforms to comply by April 2026. Furthermore, parents would have the right to request the deletion of their child’s account, and social media companies would be obligated to process such requests within 10 days.
If Governor Abbott signs the bill into law, Texas would be the first state to enforce a social media ban for minors under 18. Florida has a similar law, but its age limit is currently set at 14, with ongoing discussions to raise it to 16.
Keywords: Texas, Google, Apple, age verification, app store, social media ban, child safety, online safety, Greg Abbott, House Bill 186, minors, parental consent.