TX HB186

Prohibits individuals under 18 years of age from using social media platforms in Texas, to the extent permitted by federal law including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

Requires social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing them to create accounts, using commercially reasonable methods that rely on public or private transactional data

Mandates that personal information collected for age verification can only be used for that purpose and must be deleted immediately after verification is complete

Requires social media platforms to delete a child's account within 10 days of receiving a verified request from a parent or guardian, including ceasing use of all personal information collected from that account

Violations are classified as deceptive trade practices enforceable by the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection division; the law applies to social media access beginning January 1, 2026