Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill requiring Apple and Google to verify the age of app store users, effective January 1. This legislation mandates parental consent for users under 18, seeking to address concerns over children's smartphone usage. Similar laws are emerging, like Utah's earlier this year, reflecting a growing national consensus on age restrictions for social media. The legislation comes amid rising worries regarding social media's impact on youth mental health, with numerous states and even countries considering steps to protect minors online.
"Parents want a one-stop shop to verify their child's age and grant permission for them to download apps in a privacy-preserving way. The app store is the best place for it, and more than one-third of US states have introduced bills recognizing the central role app stores play."
"The effect of social media on children's mental health has become a growing global concern, with dozens of U.S. states suing Meta Platforms and the U.S. Surgeon General issuing an advisory on safeguards for children."
Collection
[
|
...
]