Texas is poised to pass a groundbreaking law requiring app store operators, including tech giants Apple and Google, to verify the ages of users and secure parental consent for minors, a move that could reshape how young people access digital content. According to Reuters, Senate Bill 2420 has cleared both chambers of the Texas legislature with overwhelming support and now awaits Governor Greg Abbott’s signature.

The legislation mandates that app marketplaces confirm the age of users accessing their platforms. If a user is under 18, the bill would require parental approval before apps can be downloaded or in-app purchases made. As Reuters notes, this makes Texas the latest—and largest—U.S. state to wade into the national debate on smartphone regulation for children, following similar action in Utah earlier this year.

While the bill targets app distribution, it has sparked broader concerns within the tech industry, particularly among the companies tasked with enforcing its provisions. Apple and Google have criticized the proposed law, arguing that it would require the collection of personal data even for innocuous apps, such as those offering weather updates or sports scores. “If enacted, app marketplaces will be required to collect and keep sensitive personal identifying information for every Texan who wants to download an app,” Apple said in a statement.

According to Reuters, both tech companies have floated alternative solutions that would limit data sharing only to applications that explicitly require age-based restrictions. Kareem Ghanem, a senior director at Google, acknowledged a role for legislation but emphasized the need for thoughtful implementation. “It’s just got to be done in the right way,” Ghanem told Reuters, adding that enforcement should also target social media platforms like those owned by Meta, which have faced increased scrutiny for their impact on minors.

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Indeed, concern over the mental health effects of social media on youth has escalated in recent years. Per Reuters, more than 40 U.S. states have filed lawsuits against Meta, and the U.S. Surgeon General has issued advisories warning about the risks posed to children’s well-being. Globally, countries like Australia and Norway are also contemplating or have enacted legislation banning social media access for younger users.

The Texas bill aligns with a broader public sentiment in favor of stronger child online protections. A 2023 Pew Research Center poll found that 81% of Americans support requiring parental consent for children to open social media accounts, while 71% endorse mandatory age verification for access.

Supporters of the Texas legislation argue that the onus should fall on app stores to manage age restrictions. “The problem is that self-regulation in the digital marketplace has failed, where app stores have just prioritized the profit over safety and rights of children and families,” said Casey Stefanski, executive director of the Digital Childhood Alliance, in a statement to Reuters.

Notably, another proposal still under consideration in the Texas legislature would ban social media usage for anyone under 18, a move that, if passed, could further intensify the national conversation around youth internet access and digital responsibility.

Source: Reuters

The Texas Longhorns will be the No. 2 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, one of a record 13 SEC teams to be selected to the 64-team field.

The tournament opens Friday with 16 double-elimination regionals. Winners advance to eight best-of-three super regionals. Those winners move on to the College World Series in Omaha beginning June 13.

In their first year in the SEC, Texas opened 38-5 overall and 19-2 in conference play. The Longhorns appeared to be a lock for the No. 1 seed before finishing 5-7 with a loss to Tennessee in its conference tournament opener.

Vanderbilt won eight straight games and 13 of its past 16 to earn the No. 1 seed for the second time, and first since 2007. The Commodores are in the tournament for the 19th straight time for the longest active streak.

The national seeds following Vanderbilt (42-16) and Texas (42-12) are Arkansas (43-13), Auburn (38-18), North Carolina (42-12), LSU (43-14), Georgia (42-15) and Oregon State (41-12-1). Those eight teams would be in line to host super regionals if they win their regionals.

Seeds Nos. 9 through 16: Florida State (38-14), Mississippi (40-19), Clemson (44-16), Oregon (42-14), Coastal Carolina (48-11), Tennessee (43-16), UCLA (42-16) and Southern Mississippi (44-14).

The last four teams to get at-large bids, in alphabetical order, were Arizona State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Southern California.

The first four teams left out were Southeastern Louisiana, Troy, UConn and Virginia.

The SEC’s 13 teams in the tournament are two more than its record 11 that made it in 2024.

The Atlantic Coast Conference has nine teams in the field followed by the Big 12 with eight and the Big Ten with four. The American Athletic, Big West, Conference USA and Sun Belt all have two teams in the tournament.

TCU and Oklahoma both made the field of 64 as the second-seed in the Corvallis and Chapel Hill regionals, respectively. Oklahoma State snuck in as one of the last four at-large bids, earning a 3-seed in the Athens regional.

Been there, done that

Texas is in the tournament for a record 64th time. Miami, which lost six of its past seven games, is making its 50th appearance. Florida State will be a regional host for a Division I-record 37th time.

The longest active streaks behind Vanderbilt belong to Florida (17), LSU (13), Oklahoma State (12) and Dallas Baptist (11).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Find more Texas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.