Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association is testifying today before the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs to voice its opposition to House Bill 186. The bill would require social media platforms to verify that all users are at least 18 years old before allowing them to create an account, creating significant conflicts with Texas contract law and serious First Amendment concerns.
The bill would undermine how Texas law currently treats agreements involving minors. State law allows minors to enter into certain contracts, with the flexibility to cancel them if needed. HB 186 would upend that system by blocking all minors from entering into one specific type of agreement – creating a social media account – regardless of parental involvement or intended use. This blanket restriction would create a double standard and limit young Texans’ ability to engage via online platforms that are now central to communication, education, and participation in public life.
Beyond these contract issues, the bill also raises serious constitutional questions. By restricting access to social media platforms based solely on age, HB 186 would limit how young Texans engage with information, express themselves, and build community. Courts have already blocked similar laws in Arkansas and Ohio, finding them to be unconstitutional under the First Amendment. HB 186 would follow a similarly problematic path by broadly restricting access to platforms that serve as public forums in modern life.
The following statement can be attributed to Megan Stokes, State Policy Director for CCIA:
“HB 186 conflicts with Texas contract law and undermines teens’ rights to access information, express themselves, and participate in today’s digital economy. A 14-year-old can legally work in retail or food service in Texas, but this bill would prevent them from even having a social media account. HB 186 is a flawed proposal, one that censors speech rather than supporting families with tools and education.”
