Texas is set to lead the nation in restrictive legislation. Under a proposed bill, minors would be banned from social media, while platforms would also be required to introduce age verification methods. While supporters say the change would make children safer, critics argue that such legislation may do the exact opposite.
Introduced in November, House Bill 186 would prevent minors from creating accounts on social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and more. Platforms would be required to use “public or private transactional data” to verify that account holders are at least 18 years old. In addition, parents could request the deletion of any of their child’s existing accounts. Companies would have to cooperate with that request within 10 days.
Under the law, social media platforms are limited to public websites or applications that allow users to communicate with each other “for the primary purpose of posting information, comments, messages, or images.” It wouldn’t apply to e-mail, news, or gambling sties.
I am for keeping minors off social media. This will at least mitigate some of the law enforcement online minor sting operations. Then maybe law enforcement can reduce its time manufacturing offenses, get up from behind a desk and instead focus its time on being out in the community showing its presence in trying to reduce crime.
My generation survived childhood with no internet. Me and friends spent most time outside. Maybe the current generation can do the same, it will not kill them. I read recently 70% of military applicants can not meet the physical requirements – will not hurt to get off the internet and get out and be active. After my offense, I have done no social media and do not miss. As a now deceased friend of mine once stated in regards to social media, “I am too busy living my life to pretend I am living my life”.
This will never be fully implemented successfully. Half of those ads you see are geared towards the youth. It’s there primary target audience (Red Bull, cosmetics etc.) so expect the social media lawyers and lobbyists to throw cold water on this.
Mixed feelings here. My first thought is that this is another example of state over-reach into private affairs. As I’ve said a million times, child safety – and that includes social media activity – is a parental responsibility, not a state one. Allowing the state to do so is the first step in allowing the state to raise children in their parents’ stead.
On the other hand, if registrants on social media is so dangerous to minors, I’ve also said that it would be easier to restrict minors’ access to it as done with, say, alcohol and tobacco.
Nor do I think it’s fair or even possible to obligate sites to age verify and penalize them if minors still manage to access it. Seriously, is it really that hard to get around age verification? It’s just a few strokes on a keyboard, no matter who is pressing them.
In the end, it’s all about parents parenting their own kids rather than relying on the state to do it for them. Not to mention the ages-old argument that government solutions to any problem never solves anything, only create more problems that likely wouldn’t have existed otherwise.