It took some time, but a set of new laws and rules passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023 went into effect on Sept. 1, the Houston Chronicle reported. Prominent among these are the SCOPE Act, or Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act, which tightens restrictions for online users younger than 18.
Under the SCOPE Act, users must register their age on social media and other websites. Minors are prohibited from making purchases from those sites, which are also required to filter and block certain material. Examples include content that promotes suicide or bullying, as well as trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
Violators could be fined up to $10,000 per incident.
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