Texas has implemented its online child safety legislation, mandating that Apple and Google verify user ages and secure parental consent before minors can download apps or engage in in-app purchases. This regulation is set to be enacted on January 1, 2026.

The primary concern revolves around who holds the responsibility for age verification. Apple and Google have been at odds with app developers such as Meta, Snap, and Match Group, as more states initiate digital safety laws. Texas now joins nine other states, including Utah, that have established online safety laws aimed at children, as reported by the Age Verification Providers Association.

This progress marks a notable victory for the Texas Legislature, which is also advancing a more controversial proposal: a statewide prohibition on social media accounts for individuals under 18. This creates a regulatory hurdle for Apple and Google. Reports suggest that Apple CEO Tim Cook has contacted Governor Greg Abbott, urging modifications to the bill or a veto.

House Bill 186, which proposes the social media ban, has recently passed the House with bipartisan backing and is expected to move forward in the state Senate. If enacted, it would bar minors from setting up accounts on major social media platforms such as TikTok, X, Facebook, and Snapchat. Compliance with age verification is anticipated by April 2026.

Parents would have the power to request the removal of their child’s account, and social media companies would be obliged to address these requests within 10 days.

Should Abbott sign the legislation, Texas would become the first state to enforce a social media ban for minors under 18. Florida has a comparable law with a cutoff age of 14, although there are ongoing discussions about possibly raising it to 16.