Texas lawmakers are intensifying efforts to hold social media companies accountable for exposing minors to harmful content, convening a hearing on Tuesday to examine the dangers of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). The discussions unfolded as Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, announced a controversial shift in its content moderation strategy.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, co-chair of the Joint Committee to Study the Effects of Media on Minors, criticized social media companies for failing to address issues such as exposure to pornography, bullying, and addictive behaviors among youth. Patterson also expressed frustration that Meta and other major platforms declined to send representatives to testify.
“There’s been no significant change to protect minors from the harms we continue to see on social media,” Patterson said, highlighting alarming trends like increases in self-harm, body image issues, and suicide rates among youth.
Meta’s announcement on Tuesday that it would relocate its content moderation teams from California to Texas adds a new layer to the debate. CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated the move aims to reduce perceived political bias and align with a broader plan to replace the company’s third-party fact-checking program with a new feature, Community Notes. Similar to a tool already used by X, Community Notes allows users to add context to posts they believe are misleading.
Zuckerberg framed the change as an effort to enhance transparency and rebuild trust, but critics worry the rollback of content restrictions—particularly on sensitive topics like immigration and gender—could have harmful repercussions.
Against this backdrop, Texas lawmakers are exploring ways to address the risks posed by social media. Witnesses at Tuesday’s hearing detailed the psychological and social harms associated with platforms designed to keep users engaged.
Robert Epstein, a senior research psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology, warned that internet addiction among youth is now more damaging than traditional substance abuse.
Proposals discussed at the hearing included:
- Teaching digital literacy in schools.
- Limiting screen time on school-issued devices.
- Strengthening Texas Education Agency guidelines to enforce compliance.
- Requiring devices to include filters that block explicit material for minors.
As Texas lawmakers prepare for the upcoming legislative session, some see an opportunity for the state to lead on the issue of youth online safety. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, emphasized the importance of bold action.
“Texas is big enough to move the needle and be aggressive,” she said. “Let’s rid ourselves of this scourge that is destroying the lives of our children and future generations.”
