Texas House Bill 186 might sound like it's protecting our kids, but it goes too far.

If passed, it would ban all minors under 18 from using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X. It would force these platforms to delete kids’ accounts, verify everyone’s age, and allow parents to erase a child’s profile within 10 days, or else the companies face lawsuits and fines.

But kids don’t just use social media for entertainment. They use it to learn, connect, and grow. They hear different voices, explore new cultures, and discover ideas outside their immediate environment.

Taking that away makes them easier to isolate, indoctrinate, and manipulate.

This ban could cut kids off from the broader world just when they’re beginning to form their own opinions. Instead of teaching responsible use, HB 186 encourages censorship and control.

That’s not safety, that’s suppression.

We all want to protect children’s mental health. But that must include protecting their right to think, question, and learn from others. Instead of banning platforms, let’s teach kids how to use them wisely.

Lawmakers must reject HB 186 before it becomes law. Don’t let Texas become a test case for nationwide censorship.