HOUSTON — Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 18, also known as the "Scope Act," on Wednesday.
Its goal is to protect minors from harmful online content. The bill will now head to the Texas Senate.
Editorial note: The above video aired prior to HB 18 being passed.
The bill may give parents more control over their child's online privacy when it comes to social media platforms, websites and mobile apps.
"I'm a dad. I have two young kids," Zach Whiting with Texas Public Policy Foundation said. "I think this is one of those things that parents are realizing. In the digital age, it's harder to parent."
Whiting said HB 18 gives parents more digital rights. The proposed bill requires online service providers to shield teenage users from harmful online content. That includes content that promotes self-harm, eating disorders and bullying.
Additionally, minors would need parental consent to create new online accounts. Providers would have to tell parents what data is being collected on their children and how it's being used to advertise to them.
Those who oppose the bill say the idea of "harmful content" is subjective, making many of the proposed restrictions tough to comply with.
"The need to protect kids that are literally dying from harmful content online far outweighs any concern from any industry," Whiting said. "That far outweighs the argument that this is too hard to it. Because frankly it’s not and they’re already doing it."
HB 18 is the strongest bill like this in the country. The final vote was 125-20.