The move puts the state at the center of a debate over whether and how to regulate smartphone use by children and teenagers.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill Tuesday requiring app stores, such as those run by Apple and Google, to verify user ages amid a push to ramp up protections for children online.

The state’s governor signed a new law that will give parents more control over the apps that minors download, part of a raft of new legislation.