Texas launches investigation into tech platforms over child safety

Concerns rise over social media’s impact on children as Texas enforces privacy laws.
Texas is proposing a comprehensive law to regulate high-risk AI systems and protect consumers from algorithmic discrimination.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated investigations into more than a dozen technology platforms over concerns about their privacy and safety practices for minors. The platforms under scrutiny include Character.AI, a startup specialising in AI chatbots, along with social media giants like Instagram, Reddit, and Discord.

The investigations aim to determine compliance with two key Texas laws designed to protect children online. The Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act prohibits digital service providers from sharing or selling minors’ personal information without parental consent and mandates privacy tools for parents. The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) requires companies to obtain clear consent before collecting or using data from minors.

Concerns over the impact of social media on children have grown significantly. A Harvard study found that major platforms earned an estimated $11 billion in advertising revenue from users under 18 in 2022. Experts, including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, have highlighted risks such as poor sleep, body image issues, and low self-esteem among young users, particularly adolescent girls.

Paxton emphasised the importance of enforcing the state’s robust data privacy laws, putting tech companies on notice. While some platforms have introduced tools to enhance teen safety and parental controls, they have not yet commented on the ongoing probes.