Meta Advocates for Legislation Mandating Parental Approval for Teens' App Downloads
In a recent blog post, Meta has proposed a significant shift in responsibility for monitoring teenagers' social media use, advocating for parents to play a more active role. Meta's Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, emphasized that parents should approve their teenagers' app downloads, positioning Meta in support of potential federal legislation that would mandate parental consent for users under the age of 16.
Karobar
Citing recent Pew research indicating that 81% of U.S. adults support parental consent for teens creating social media accounts, Meta underscored the need for parents to take charge of their children's online activities. Despite popular opinion, the company acknowledges the lack of clarity on who should bear the responsibility for regulating teens' access to social media and determining the operational safeguards that should be in place.
Currently facing legal challenges from a coalition of 42 states and D.C. over its impact on teens, Meta, previously implicated by whistleblower Frances Haugen, has been urged to address concerns about issues such as body image problems among teens. Despite regulatory scrutiny, legislators have yet to make decisions on regulating teen usage of social media platforms.
While Meta has implemented self-regulation measures, introducing defaults, features, and parental controls to restrict teens' access and protect their privacy, recent whistleblower Arturo Bejar expressed concerns about Instagram's effectiveness in safeguarding teens from sexual predators. Bejar's claims, coupled with ongoing legal battles, prompt Meta's proposal to involve app stores and parents in the regulation process.
This announcement aligns with the perceived lack of action in Congress regarding online child safety regulations, leaving U.S. states to formulate individual laws. Utah, for instance, recently passed measures granting parents access to their children's social media activities and restricting usage during specific hours. However, Meta argues that state-specific laws create inconsistencies in teen protection as they move between various websites and apps.
In response, Meta suggests a "better way," urging parents to manage their teens' app downloads. While this places the responsibility on both app stores and parents, critics argue that it overrides parental discretion and choice. The debate continues on whether this proposed shift in responsibility adequately addresses the complexities of teen online safety.
Apple and Google have not yet provided comments on Meta's proposal.
