Rep. Jared Patterson

There is a God just enough to sentence you to death for your sin but loving enough to take the sentence on your behalf. Every human in your life needs to know this. Thank you, @howertonjosh for always striving for one more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 10, 2026 REP. PATTERSON FILES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN UNDER 16 FROM HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA AUSTIN, TX – State Representative Jared Patterson has filed HB 212 to prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, renewing his longstanding effort to protect Texas children from the growing dangers associated with social media. “For years, parents have watched their children become increasingly consumed by platforms that are engineered to capture their attention and keep them coming back,” said Patterson. “These companies have built enormously profitable businesses around the attention of our children, while families are left dealing with the consequences. We cannot continue treating this as business as usual.” Governments around the world are increasingly recognizing the dangers and taking action. Australia implemented a nationwide prohibition on social media accounts for children under 16 in December 2025. Malaysia and Indonesia have advanced restrictions targeting younger users, while Greece, Turkey, and other nations have adopted or pursued similar age-based protections. Meanwhile, recent landmark court decisions in the United States have provided some of the strongest legal findings yet concerning the dangers these platforms pose to children. In March 2026, a New Mexico jury found Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, liable for misleading consumers about platform safety and endangering children, imposing $375 million in civil penalties. A subsequent court ruling found Meta’s platforms constituted a public nuisance and ordered additional remedies and court-supervised reforms, bringing the total judgment to $942 million. Just one day after the New Mexico jury verdict, a California jury found Meta and YouTube negligent in designing or operating platforms that contributed to a young woman’s mental health injuries beginning in childhood. The jury awarded $6 million in damages, finding that the companies failed to adequately warn users about the dangers associated with their products. Both companies have challenged the verdict. “These are no longer just warnings from concerned parents or researchers,” Patterson said. “Juries have now heard the evidence and held some of the world’s largest technology companies accountable for harming children. The question is how much more evidence lawmakers need before taking meaningful action.” During the 89th Legislative Session, Patterson authored HB 186, one of the nation’s most comprehensive proposals to restrict social media access for children under the age of 18. The legislation passed the Texas House with overwhelming bipartisan support, receiving 116 votes in favor and just 25 against. With the leadership and hard work of Senator Adam Hinojosa, the legislation subsequently advanced through the Senate State Affairs Committee on an 8-3 vote and was placed on the Senate intent calendar, putting it within reach of a final vote by the full Senate. Unfortunately, the legislative session ended before that vote could occur. For the 90th Legislative Session, Patterson has filed HB 212, refining the proposal to establish a minimum age of 16 for social media access, rather than the under-18 restriction proposed last session. “Last session, we proved that protecting children is not a partisan issue, passing this legislation overwhelmingly in the House and coming within reach of the Governor’s desk,” Patterson said. “We’ve refined our approach to focus on children under 16, and this session, we intend to finish the job. Texas children deserve nothing less.”

Happy to file this bill next legislative session!

Thank you, Denton County! I’m heading back to Austin for my fifth term in the Texas House, more experienced, more determined, and more prepared than ever to fight for my neighbors here in HD 106 and across our region. As we tackle the next set of challenges facing our great state, I’ll continue fighting to protect our values, strengthen our communities, and keep the Texas Miracle alive for generations to come - no matter who stands in our way! A special thank you to the voters who placed their confidence in me, the volunteers who gave their time and energy, and the donors who generously supported our campaign. This victory would not have been possible without each of you! Thank you for your trust, your support, and the honor of serving you. Let’s get back to work!

Roblox refused to testify before the Texas House State Affairs Committee today—following the same playbook as Meta and other powerful platforms that refuse to answer to the People’s House about the harm their products have caused our children. These companies have profited while young Texans have faced addiction, mental-health struggles, suicidal ideation, exploitation, and other serious harms tied to the online environments they create. Yet when Texas lawmakers ask them to show up, answer questions, and explain what they knew and what they did about it, they refuse. Courtrooms across America are beginning to expose these harms, and nations around the world are taking stronger action to protect children online. Texas must do more. Roblox and Big Tech should be held accountable. Next session, I will do everything in my power to make that happen—and to give Texas children the strongest protections in America. Our kids come before their profits. Period.

This is racist. It is wrong. And I condemn it without reservation. There is absolutely nothing Christian or conservative about looking at a crowd of young Texans at a college football game, seeing the color of their skin, and declaring that they are a “problem.” These are 20-year-old kids cheering for their university—not political props and not targets for racial attacks. We can have serious debates about our nation’s immigration laws. I have strong views about immigration policy, and Americans have every right to demand changes to federal law. But opposing an immigration policy does not give anyone license to demean people because of their race or ethnicity. And let’s be clear: the Texas Railroad Commission regulates our oil and gas industry. It does not set federal immigration policy. Texans deserve Railroad Commissioners focused on the responsibilities of that office—not using a statewide campaign as a platform for racial division. This does not represent my Christian faith. It does not represent my conservative principles. And it does not represent the Republican Party I believe in. As a Texas Aggie, I’m always happy to take a friendly shot at the Longhorns when the opportunity presents itself. That rivalry is part of what makes these two great universities so special. But this goes far beyond college rivalry. We should be willing to call racism wrong no matter who says it, what party they belong to, or how politically inconvenient it may be. This is wrong, and I want no part of it.

Twenty-five years ago today, America changed forever. On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 innocent people went to work, boarded airplanes, reported for duty, or simply began an ordinary Tuesday morning—and never came home. We watched in horror as our nation was attacked, but we also witnessed extraordinary courage: first responders running toward danger, strangers helping strangers, and Americans standing together as one people. I was a freshman in college that morning. I had always been a history buff, fascinated by the people and events that shaped our country. But September 11 changed the way I looked at the world. History was no longer confined to books or generations before us. We were living it. From that day forward, I became much more focused on current events, the challenges facing our country, and America’s place in the world. More than any other single event in my life, September 11 instilled in me a desire to step up, serve my community, and eventually pursue a life in public service. Twenty-five years later, I think about the firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary Americans who showed us what courage looks like. I think about the men and women who answered our nation’s call to military service, including those who never returned home. And I think about the families who have carried an empty seat at their tables for a quarter century. But I also remember September 12. For a moment, we weren’t defined by politics or the things that divided us. American flags hung everywhere. Churches filled. Neighbors looked after one another. We were Americans first—united by grief, resolve, and love of country. A generation has grown up with no memory of that day. It is our responsibility to teach them what happened, remember those we lost, honor those who ran toward danger, and cherish the freedoms generations of Americans have sacrificed to defend. May God bless the fallen, those who answered the call to serve, and the United States of America. We will never forget. 🇺🇸

Speaker @Burrows4TX has crisscrossed the state to re-elect Republican House Members, and we were certainly proud to host him this evening in Frisco. Folks here were glad to meet him. Thank you so much for coming to town and helping me raise $175k toward my re-election campaign! Together, we’re gonna keep Texas red!

Some sixty years later, then-Governor Ronald Reagan's 1967 inaugural address is a clarion call for the Texans of today. The basic premise is whether or not we have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative of the blessings God has poured over us. His words haunt me.

Massive, massive win for HD 106 and the residents along FM 1385 out of Austin today! Proud to continue advocating in their behalf. #txlege

ONE DFW LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS FORMED TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL COLLABORATION & ADVANCE DFW PRIORITIES Texas is an economic powerhouse, and Dallas-Fort Worth plays a key role. If it were its own nation, the counties of Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, and Rockwall would have one of the top 25 global economies. If it were a state, it would have the 5th largest state economy in the United States. Now, legislative leaders have joined together to advance regional priorities, strengthen our shared economy, and advocate for the investments and resources to keep North Texas thriving. ONE DFW Legislative Caucus is comprised of a bipartisan group of Texas House Members residing in Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin and Rockwall Counties. The caucus will be led by Rep. Jared Patterson (R – Frisco) serving as Chairman, Rep. @RepRamonRomero (D – Ft. Worth) as Vice Chairman, Rep. @RepToniRoseTX (D – Dallas) as Secretary, and Rep. @MattShaheen (R – Prosper) as Treasurer. The mission of the ONE DFW Legislative Caucus is to collaborate, advocate, and deliver for the region by advancing regional priorities, securing strategic investments, and building a stronger, more united Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The caucus will serve as a forum for members to identify opportunities for regional partnership, coordinate legislative efforts, and promote policies that strengthen infrastructure, economic development, public safety, workforce growth, education, and other issues critical to North Texas' continued prosperity. “Our region's continued success depends on our ability to work together," stated Rep. Patterson, Chairman of the ONE DFW Legislative Caucus. "While each of our communities has unique strengths and priorities, we share a common interest in ensuring the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex remains the best place in the country to live, work, raise a family, and grow a business. By speaking with one voice on regional issues, we can better advocate for the investments and policies that will benefit the people we represent."

Starting school during the hottest month of year is among the dumbest things we do as a state. It doesn’t make sense for student athlete safety, it doesn’t make sense for the economy, it doesn’t make sense for ISD budgets, and it doesn’t make sense for the electric grid. Cooling the largest buildings during the hottest month is an extreme waste of taxpayer dollars. Teachers shouldn’t go back until Sept 1, and students after that. Stay in school longer through May. Even early June would better than mid-August. Legislation is coming (again).

NO TERROR-TIED MONEY IN TEXAS ELECTIONS Next session, I intend to file legislation banning terrorist organizations and their agents from donating money to political candidates in Texas. According to @FoxNews, Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed's campaign collected more than $115,000 from individuals who work for or have held leadership roles with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has been designated a terrorist organization by the states of Florida and Texas. Next session, we ensure terrorists can't fund candidates for public office or directly influence elections in the GREAT State of Texas.

Thanks @bradj_TX for the inspiration! $3,500 to a GREAT cause at the @cacnorthtexas!

ERCOT hit a new peak demand for electricity on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, our peak demand grew further - by about the amount of total nuclear capacity. At over 91,300 MWs, our peak demand in ERCOT is now more than California & New York COMBINED. ...and ERCOT is only about 75% of Texas' land mass. What's most interesting is the shift in risk in our marketplace. Due to the large amount of solar coming online, the historic summer risk is evaporating. However, winter risk - particularly cold winter mornings - is going to be off the charts. Remember, we hit 80,000 MWs during the summer for the first time just four years ago, and we hit 80,000 in the winter shortly after. Stay tuned...

For years, Big Tech has asked us to simply trust them with keeping our kids safe online. Yet we continue to see the harm caused by addictive algorithms, endless scrolling, inappropriate content, and online predators. The UK’s recent decision to restrict social media access for children under 16 is another sign that the tide is turning. Around the world, policymakers are recognizing that protecting kids online requires more than voluntary promises from tech companies. Here in Texas, we’ve led the nation in pushing back. From requiring app stores to verify ages and obtain parental consent for minors, to advancing other commonsense protections for children online, we’ve made it clear that parents — not Big Tech — should be in charge. As we look ahead to the 2027 legislative session, I’m more committed than ever to leading on this issue once again. The safety and well-being of our children must come before the profits of Silicon Valley.