Lawmakers in Texas are now considering banning the use of social media among minors as part of an effort to combat cyberbullying, pornography, and exploitation.
Traditionally, state authorities and law enforcement have been responsible for cracking down on online dangers. However, a lack of resources in those agencies has forced educators to also address cyberbullying and the other harmful effects of social media on young people. However, educators are already struggling to meet the demands of instruction.
The social media ban is part of a bill proposed by Republican Rep. Jared Patterson. It is one of the several sweeping measures to be taken up by Texas lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session.
What Other Measures Will Texas Lawmakers Take Up?
In addition to a social media ban for minors, lawmakers have suggested creating a system that would require new users to verify their age when creating a social media account. Other options include putting more funding to the internet crime units of law enforcement agencies and banning the use of people's likenesses in pornographic images created using artificial intelligence (AI).
Moreover, lawmakers have also proposed educating people in Texas about the dangers of the internet and social media.
How Social Media Affects the Youth
The ban comes months after lawmakers heard a litany of stories about how social media affected the Texas youth during a Senate Committee on State Affairs.
In one case, a middle school girl said she developed an eating disorder after watching a video on short-form video content platform TikTok. In another case, a boy was said to have become addicted to pornographic content and explicit cartoons after he stumbled upon one due to YouTube's algorithm.
Additionally, there was a woman who said she experienced being groomed for sex work through social media. She was still in high school at the time, according to the Texas Tribune.
For perspective, a recent survey of 14- to 24-year-olds found that social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter led to increased feelings of anxiety and depression. It also found that social media contributed to feelings of loneliness and poor body image among users.
