Relating to requiring social media platforms to verify the age of account holders on the platform.
Summary
HB 4456 would create a new subchapter in the Texas Business & Commerce Code requiring social media platforms to verify the age of anyone seeking to become an account holder. The bill defines an account holder as a Texas resident who opens an account, creates a profile, or is identified by a platform through a unique identifier. Platforms would have to use a commercially reasonable age-verification method based on public or private transactional data before accepting a user, and any personal information collected for that purpose would have to be used only for verification and deleted immediately after the process is complete.
The bill also creates a parent- or guardian-requested account removal process for children. If a verified parent or guardian requests deletion, the platform must remove the child’s account within 10 days and stop further use or maintenance of the child’s personal information in retrievable form. Platforms must provide a reasonable and accessible way to submit such requests. The bill applies to access on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025.
Impact
HB 4456 would add new age-verification and child-account deletion obligations for social media platforms operating in Texas, expanding state regulation of online platforms and user data handling. It would also make violations a deceptive trade practice under Chapter 17 of the Business & Commerce Code, allowing enforcement by the Texas Attorney General’s consumer protection division and exposing platforms to state consumer-protection remedies.
Sentiment
The available legislative record shows the bill was referred to the House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee and no votes or committee hearing transcript were provided. Based on the bill’s structure, it appears aimed at protecting minors and giving parents more control over children’s social media accounts, but the absence of recorded debate means there is no documented committee sentiment in the materials provided.
Contention
The main points of likely contention are the scope and feasibility of mandatory age verification, the privacy implications of requiring platforms to collect and then immediately delete personal information, and the burden on social media companies to implement a commercially reasonable verification system. Another likely issue is whether the bill’s parent-requested deletion requirement could affect account access, data retention, and platform moderation practices. Supporters would likely emphasize child safety and parental control, while critics may focus on privacy, implementation costs, and potential overbreadth.
Age Verification of Account Holders; providers of social media platforms from permitting a minor aged 14 years or younger to be an account holder; prohibit
Prohibiting social medial platforms from allowing children under 16 years of age to create, maintain or access an account unless the platform has obtained verified parental consent.
Social media platforms requirements established relating to accounts for minors, and enforcement mechanisms established for regulations on child social media accounts.