KXAN: Child advocates urge Texas lawmakers to strengthen protections for minors on gaming platforms

Child advocates, pediatricians and mental health experts urged Texas lawmakers on Monday to expand online safety protections for children, arguing that today’s gaming platforms pose many of the same risks as social media and are increasingly affecting children’s mental health, sleep, academic performance and overall development.

The discussion came during a hearing before the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee, where advocates called for stronger safeguards for minors and greater accountability for gaming companies.

Dr. Lauren Gambill, an Austin pediatrician representing the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Pediatric Society, told lawmakers gaming has become a central part of how children and teens spend their time.

She said roughly 85% of U.S. teens report playing video games, with 41% saying they play daily. While gaming can provide some benefits, she said modern platforms expose children to risks that did not exist a decade ago.