Reports have shown that social media companies have intentionally designed their platforms to target and addict their youngest and most vulnerable users. The harmful effects of platforms like Facebook and TikTok on our children – from mental health issues to cyberbullying – are clear. Parents across Texas and the nation have expressed growing concern over how these platforms operate and work to profit from their children’s online activity. Today, the overwhelming majority of parents support broad regulations requiring online content providers – including social media sites, pornography companies, and dating apps – to make their platforms safer for children.
Leaders in Texas have taken strong steps to address these concerns. The Attorney General’s office has successfully filed and won lawsuits against both Facebook and TikTok for abusing users’ data. The Texas State Legislature has also acted to create a safer digital environment more broadly. One significant measure signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott requires pornography websites to verify users' ages to prevent minors from accessing adult content. These actions are critical first steps in addressing the widespread online harms facing children. However, as officials in Texas are working to hold companies responsible for pushing harmful and addictive content to children, these bad actors have banded together to avoid accountability.
A group of companies that includes leading social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok are currently pushing a scheme that would make app stores responsible for keeping young users away from dangerous content. While this might seem like a step in the right direction, it is nothing more than a transparent effort to avoid accountability. The reality is that children would still be able to access Facebook, TikTok, and explicit content through any web browser. This would leave children still facing the same dangers online while social media companies would be absolved of any responsibility for their actions.
Pornography companies have also backed Facebook’s plan. In response to Texas’ law that puts the onus on pornography companies to keep young users off of their websites, adult content providers sued to overturn the measure. A group representing the pornography industry even petitioned the Supreme Court to make others responsible for blocking children from the inappropriate content they promote, although Justice Samuel Alito saw through their argument as a way to “put the costs” of online safety onto others.
The truth is that the so-called “solution” pushed by Big Tech companies and the pornography industry would not make children safer online. Instead of listening to these companies lobbying for a bailout, Texas should look to policies that have been proven to be effective. Our law that holds pornography websites responsible for verifying users’ ages, for example, has shown that targeting dangerous content at its source works. We can – and should – require social media companies to do the same.
Ultimately, Texas lawmakers should consider regulations that parents want, have proven effective, and hold the companies pushing harmful content to our children responsible. Instead of letting bad actors off the hook, our officials should demand real accountability.
David Armey has been involved in grassroots conservative advocacy since 1996. He is a father and lives in Texas.
