Texas Social Media Ban for Minors Challenged in Court

A Texas student group and two minors are suing to block a law that would ban children under 14 from using social media. They argue it limits their freedom of speech and raises privacy concerns.

, and Administrator

2025 October 17 . 10:05 AM

1 min read

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A Texas law, set to take effect in 2026, bans children under 14 from using social media. This law, known as the App Store Accountability Act, is currently being challenged in court but remains in effect. The lawsuit, filed by a Texas student group and two minors, argues that the law violates the First Amendment and limits students' ability to learn and communicate.

The lawsuit, which names Attorney General Ken Paxton as the defendant, seeks to prevent the law from coming into force. The act requires adults to verify their age before downloading any app, and minors to have parental approval for app downloads and in-app purchases. The plaintiffs argue that this act restricts access to protected speech and raises concerns about privacy and autonomy.

The lawsuit comes amidst broader efforts in Texas to regulate tech platforms and minors' access to them. It follows a separate proposal, HB 186, which also aimed to ban minors from using social media but stalled earlier this year.

The App Store Accountability Act is scheduled to take effect in January 2026. The ongoing lawsuit challenges its constitutionality, with plaintiffs claiming it limits students' ability to learn, communicate, and express themselves. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how this law will impact minors' access to social media and apps in Texas.