Bill > HB499

This bill requires social media platforms to display a prominent warning label each time a user opens the platform, specifically targeting the potential mental health risks for minors. The warning label must include contact information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and a statement about personal data usage and the addictive nature of social media. The platform must prevent users from accessing the site until they acknowledge understanding the warning. The bill applies only to certain social media platforms (as defined in the Business & Commerce Code) and excludes interactive gaming websites. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is tasked with developing evidence-based guidelines for the warning label's form and content, with a deadline of January 1, 2026, and platforms will have until April 1, 2026, to implement the new warning requirement. The law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and aims to raise awareness about the potential mental health impacts of social media usage on minors by ensuring users are informed about potential risks before accessing these platforms.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB499