The bill, H.B. No. 3862, aims to prohibit children under the age of 18 from using social media platforms in Texas. It amends Section 120.002(b) of the Business & Commerce Code to specify that certain regulations apply only to social media platforms with over 50 million active users in the U.S. The bill introduces a new Subchapter C-1, which defines key terms such as "account holder" and "child," and establishes that children are not allowed to use social media platforms. It mandates that social media companies must verify the age of account holders using government-issued identification and prohibits them from retaining personal information collected for age verification.

Additionally, the bill requires manufacturers of electronic devices to implement software that enables an electronic device marker and filter to prevent minors from accessing explicit material and sharing their location. It also includes provisions for schools to block access to social media and explicit content on their networks and prohibits the use of smart devices during instructional time. The new regulations will take effect on September 1, 2025, with specific requirements for compliance by January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Commerce Code 120.002, Education Code 32.104 (Education Code 32, Commerce Code 120)