Meta has called for laws that would force app stores to get parental approval when a child downloads an app.
The proposal would put app stores, like those run by Apple and Google, on the hook for implementing parental controls – rather than social media companies.
Meta, owner of Instagram and Facebook, has faced criticism for how it handles teens using its platforms.
The firm’s safety chief called for a “simple, industry-wide solution” to govern children’s social media use.
“Parents should approve their teen’s app downloads, and we support federal legislation that requires app stores to get parents’ approval whenever their teens under 16 download apps,” said Meta’s global head of safety, Antigone Davis, in a blog post published Wednesday.
“With this solution, when a teen wants to download an app, app stores would be required to notify their parents, much like when parents are notified if their teen attempts to make a purchase.
“Parents can decide if they want to approve the download… they can also verify the age of their teen when setting up their phone, negating the need for everyone to verify their age multiple times across multiple apps.”
The post comes as the firm faces mounting lawsuits related to its handling of child and teen use and a week after a whistleblower told the US Congress that he believed Instagram was not doing enough to protect teens from online harm.
He said his 14-year-old daughter faced sexual advances on Instagram, and he believed Meta needed to do more to combat the problem.
The former Meta employee told the BBC he believed whistleblowing meant he would not work in the tech industry again.
Increasing regulation
Meta has previously said it has introduced “over 30 tools” to support a safe online environment.
But politicians in the US are increasingly opting to pass local laws to address the problem, which could lead to a more complicated legal framework for Meta and other firms to navigate.
In March, Utah became the first state in the US to require social media firms get parental consent for children to use their apps.
Meta said it was calling for a national law.
“As an industry, we should come together with lawmakers to create simple, efficient ways for parents to oversee their teens’ online experiences,” Ms Davis said.
“Legislation is needed so all apps that teens use can be held to the same standard.”
Social media companies are also facing a raft of growing regulation worldwide.
In the EU, laws around data privacy have created such an issue for Meta that it has introduced a subscription fee to get around them, while it has yet to even introduce its newest social platform, Threads.
Ms Davis said placing the responsibility for parental controls on app stores would also “help to preserve privacy” by limiting how many individual companies collected “potentially sensitive identifying information”.
14 comments
We absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web log!
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your web site in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a good portion of people will miss your fantastic writing due to this problem.
I¦ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i am satisfied to show that I have an incredibly good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I so much unquestionably will make certain to don¦t overlook this site and provides it a glance regularly.
Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boringK I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My website is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Regards!
Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or working out more. Thanks for excellent info I was in search of this information for my mission.
You have mentioned very interesting details ! ps nice site.
I have not checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
I got what you mean , appreciate it for posting.Woh I am pleased to find this website through google.
Terrific post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Thanks!
excellent submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
I believe this is one of the such a lot significant info for me. And i am glad studying your article. But wanna statement on some basic things, The website taste is ideal, the articles is truly excellent : D. Good task, cheers