House Bill 186 prohibits the use of social media platforms by children. The bill relies on the common law contract principle that a child under 18 years old cannot enter into an enforceable contract. Accordingly, a social media platform must verify that a person seeking to become an account holder is at least 18 years old before accepting the person as an account holder. The method of age verification mirrors existing Texas law, using “a commercially reasonable method that relies on public or private transactional data to verify the age of an individual” (Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Sec. 129B.003(b)(1)(B)). Personal information obtained may be used for age verification purposes only and must be deleted immediately upon verification. HB 186 also requires social media platforms to delete a child’s account within 10 days of receiving a request from a verified parent or guardian (Business & Commerce Code, Sec. 509.101)
Technology
Chinese spy tech is endangering US hospitals. Texas is trying to shut that down
Gov. Greg Abbott expands prohibited technology list to include 26 more China-linked companies. Millions of Americans depend on medical devices — pacemakers, infusion pumps and patient monitors — to stay alive. But some of that equipment is made in China, and it may be spying on us – or worse. In January 2025, the Food and Drug...
March 16, 2026