CCIA Urges Texas Senate to Reject HB 186 Over Legal and Constitutional Concerns

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) urged Texas lawmakers to reject House Bill 186, warning that the proposal would disrupt state contract law and raise significant First Amendment concerns.

The bill, currently under review by the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs, would require social media platforms to verify that all users are at least 18 years old before allowing them to open an account. CCIA argues this blanket age restriction would effectively bar all minors from accessing platforms that are now central to communication, education, and civic engagement.

“HB 186 conflicts with Texas contract law and undermines teens’ rights to access information, express themselves, and participate in today’s digital economy,” said Megan Stokes, State Policy Director for CCIA.

Under current Texas law, minors are permitted to enter certain contracts with the flexibility to cancel them. Critics say HB 186 would carve out an exception by categorically denying minors the right to enter one specific type of contract, using social media, regardless of parental consent or purpose.

“A 14-year-old can legally work in retail or food service in Texas, but this bill would prevent them from even having a social media account,” Stokes said.

Beyond legal inconsistencies, the CCIA also flagged constitutional issues. The organization pointed to recent court rulings in Arkansas and Ohio, where similar laws restricting minors’ access to online platforms were blocked on First Amendment grounds.

In those cases, federal judges found the laws to be overbroad and insufficiently justified, limiting young people’s ability to engage in protected speech.

“HB 186 is a flawed proposal, one that censors speech rather than supporting families with tools and education,” Stokes added.

As lawmakers consider the measure, digital rights advocates continue to call for a more balanced approach, one that empowers parents and teens through education and privacy tools rather than sweeping bans.