CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A series of new laws went into effect on Sept. 1 including one that limits children's access to social media.
The Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment Act or SCOPE Act, as it's referred to, limits minors' access to social media platforms and protects them from seeing harmful content if they do gain access.
Is it the answer?
Certified information systems security professional for Cyber Security Solutions Dr. David Arbaca told 3NEWS the law will be hard to enforce but is a positive statement by Texas lawmakers working to improving online safety for children.
"What goes on in Texas may not apply in Nebraska," Arbaca said. "And one of the many things people do to protect their children, their families from private, one of those elements you're protecting is the private information of the user."
Republican State Rep. for District 32 Todd Hunter said the law takes aim at those who target children online.
"One of the big issues is the stalking of kids -- and as you know by all the news -- everybody now stalks you online and it's an unfortunate day, but you know this is the technology they use," he said.
For now, social media sites need a parent or guardian's consent before a minor can create an account, and companies must give parents the ability to supervise a child's use of the website.
Arbaca says the best line of defense is parents.
"The worst thing you can do is get your child a computer or a tablet or a laptop and let them go in their room," he said. "If they're going to use it, sit at the dinner table where I can be passing by and I can see what's on your screen."
Other laws that took effect on Sept. 1 include S.B. 1841 that gives survivors of dating violence access to family violence centers. It also clearly defines dating violence as someone in a dating relationship who causes physical harm, makes someone fear for their safety or suffer emotional abuse.
Coming up, House Bill 3291 -- signed into law in 2023 -- will get rid of state inspections for noncommercial vehicles registered in most Texas counties will begins on Jan. 1, although some counties may still require emissions tests.