Texas

New Texas law takes effect requiring parental approval for children to create social media accounts

Published

2 years ago

September 3, 2024

New Texas law takes effect requiring parental approval for children to create social media accounts

A new law has taken effect in Texas that requires parental approval for a child to create a social media account.

Parts of the SCOPE Act, or House Bill 18, went into effect on Sunday after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the legislation last year.

In a committee hearing last year, Republican state Rep. Shelby Slawson cited threats that unmonitored social media use could pose for children, including cyberbullying and child predators, according to Fox 4.

“A Texas teenager was rescued from a shed in North Carolina where she was being held by a predator who allegedly lured her away by a chat app,” she said.

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A new law has taken effect in Texas that requires parental approval for a child to create a social media account. (Getty Images)

However, the law in its current form would not directly flag those types of contacts, Fox 4 reported.

Last week, a judge blocked provisions that would have required social media companies to filter out harmful content. But the judge allowed the requirement for parental consent for children creating an account and the authority for parents to supervise their child’s online activities.

Some social media companies have argued that there are already protections in place to protect children online.

“While we strongly agree with the underlying intent of the bill, we oppose the bill as filed,” Antigone Davis, a spokesperson for Facebook parent company Meta, told Fox 4.

Parts of the SCOPE Act, or House Bill 18, went into effect on Sunday. (Getty Images)

“We’ve built over 30 tools to help young people be safe and have a positive experience on our platform,” Davis added. “We have parental supervision tools, set time limits, and the ability for parents to see who their child is following.”

In the same hearing last year, a Meta representative testified that Facebook and Instagram already have safeguards in place to protect children and that teenagers’ accounts use AI to screen for fake dates of birth being entered to create an account.

Meta also said it blocks targeted ads for a variety of topics on its platforms.

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Some social media companies said that there are already protections in place to protect children online. (Getty Images)

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Brian Dixon, a child psychiatrist with the Texas Medical Association, spoke at the hearing about what he has observed in his young patients regarding the impact of social media on their mental health.

“Now kids have access to all things all the time, and there is no filter. They have no perspective to when they are being advertised and when they are not,” he said.

Courts have blocked similar legislation passed in other states seeking to regulate social media access for young people.

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Texas

Gov. Abbott to tour South Plains College, discuss Texas Jobs Council

Published

10 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Gov. Abbott to tour South Plains College, discuss Texas Jobs Council

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Gov. Greg Abbott is scheduled to tour the Automotive Technology and Welding Facility at South Plains College on Tuesday, April 14, and deliver remarks on the creation of the Texas Jobs Council and the state’s investments in career and technical education.

Abbott will be joined by Teamsters Local 988 President Robert Mele, South Plains College President Robin Satterwhite and Texas Association of Community Colleges President and CEO Ray Martinez III.

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Texas

Texas AG opens investigation into Austin over APD guidance on ICE warrants

Published

22 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

Texas AG opens investigation into Austin over APD guidance on ICE warrants

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Attorney General’s Office is launching an investigation into the City of Austin over recent changes to Austin Police Department policy involving immigration enforcement.

A news flash obtained by CBS Austin and sent to Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and city council confirms the review focuses on updated guidance for how officers handle administrative ICE warrants.

The investigation comes as the state claims those changes may violate Texas Senate Bill 4, a law banning sanctuary cities in the state.

The policy change follows the addition of more than 700,000 ICE administrative warrants to a national law enforcement database earlier this year. According to the city, the revised policy creates a process for officers who encounter a person with an ICE administrative warrant and allows officers to provide “reasonable or necessary assistance,” while taking into consideration legal constraints and limited police resources.

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City leaders maintain the policy is lawful.

“We believe our general orders are consistent with SB4 and will cooperate with the Attorney General’s investigation,” said the newsflash.

Officials say the changes were designed to provide clearer guidance for officers while balancing public safety priorities and constitutional requirements.

CBS Austin has reached out the Attorney General’s Office for comment.

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KXII 12 wins 10 first place awards at Texas Broadcast News Awards

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

KXII 12 wins 10 first place awards at Texas Broadcast News Awards

KXII 12 received 10 first place awards at the Texas Broadcast News Awards by the Texas Association of Broadcasters over the weekend.(KXII)

AUSTIN, Texas (KXII) — KXII 12 received 10 first place awards at the Texas Broadcast News Awards by the Texas Association of Broadcasters over the weekend.

The station won the following awards in the small market division:

•Breaking News

•Investigative Report

•Election Results Coverage

•Sports Special (The Max Blitz)

•Sports Anchor (David Reed)

•Station Photojournalism

•Individual Photojournalism (Drury Vaughan)

•Morning Newscast

•Evening Newscast

•Overall Broadcast Excellence

KXII 12 has been recognized for Overall Broadcast Excellence three times in the past four years. The award is the top station honor in each division.

“This is an incredible honor and a testament to the integrity and hard work of our entire news team,” station vice president & general manager Derek Rogers said. “We’re proud to be recognized for journalism that puts Texoma first, and we’re grateful to our viewers for trusting us to tell the stories that matter most.”

Station news director Matt Griffin said the awards reflect the team’s commitment to the community.

“These awards are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the team we have at KXII 12,” Griffin said. “They are committed to serving our communities by giving them the quality coverage they deserve every day.”

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