HB 3862 proposes a statewide ban on social media access for all individuals under the age of 18. It mandates age verification through government-issued identification, prohibits contracts between minors and platforms, and requires manufacturers to install surveillance-style filters and age markers on electronic devices. This legislation represents an alarming expansion of state control over personal choices and private enterprise.

A Dangerous Precedent for Government-Controlled Parenting
The Libertarian Party of Texas (LPTexas) affirms the principle that individuals, not the state, are the best arbiters of personal and family decisions (Platform § I.1.e). HB 3862 strips away parental authority and assumes that state mandates should override the nuanced and varied ways families guide their children’s use of technology and media. It creates a one-size-fits-all censorship regime that undermines freedom of speech, expression, and association (Platform § I.1.a).

Threatens Privacy and Digital Freedom
The bill's requirement that users submit government-issued ID to access online platforms raises serious concerns about surveillance and data misuse. While the bill claims to protect this data, forcing such verification is a chilling move toward a national identification system—something LPTexas opposes unequivocally (Platform § I.4.a).

Tech Mandates Undermine Innovation and Ownership
HB 3862 mandates pre-installed filters and age markers on personal electronic devices. These measures impose unnecessary burdens on device manufacturers and users, and violate the rights of individuals to own and use property freely (Platform § I.2). Such government interference in the digital space sets a dangerous precedent for future controls over speech and commerce.

Conclusion
The Libertarian Party of Texas opposes HB 3862 as an authoritarian overreach that violates parental rights, personal liberty, free expression, and digital privacy. We believe families—not politicians—should make decisions about online access and safety. We urge lawmakers to reject HB 3862 and defend liberty for all Texans, regardless of age.