Jackie Zeigler: It's time to hold App Stores accountable

Today’s digital age allows app stores to be the gatekeepers of innovation–controlling which applications reach consumers and on what terms. This concentration of power has raised significant concerns about competition and consumer choice.

To address these concerns, U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and U.S. Representative John James (R-MI) introduced the App Store Accountability Act in Congress, which requires app stores to get parent’s approval before children can download apps and agree to contracts that allow tech companies to access a child’s microphone, location, camera, photos, and more.

This legislation is crucial, as it empowers parents with the tools to best protect their children, placing traditional family values above the influence of Big Tech on Alabama’s youth.

For far too long, app stores have operated without provisions, allowing minors easy access to inappropriate and often harmful content without parental consent. Some of these apps even contain chat functions, allowing bad actors the opportunity to lurk in the dark and connect with children.

Furthermore, many are owned, developed, and operated by Chinese companies, posing significant security threats to personal information.

We need an all-hands-on-deck approach, and the App Store Accountability Act is an ideal way to facilitate parental permission and device-linking between minors and their guardians. Earlier this year, Utah became the first state to pass legislation requiring app stores to get parental consent before children can download applications on their devices.

In June, Texas followed with its own law mandating that all apps available through major app stores require age verification for users, and most recently, Louisiana passed their own bill with strong support from child and family advocates in the state.

In February, Alabama State Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville) introduced and sponsored a similar effort in SB 187. Though the bill stalled in the Alabama House this session, it reflects the Yellowhammer State’s continued commitment to the issue. A state and federal App Store Accountability Act would ensure that parents remain at the forefront of the decision-making process.

Empowering parents and requiring their consent for teens 18 and under to download apps ensures healthy online habits for teens and strengthens parental liberties for guardians. These are not radical measures.

In Alabama, there is overwhelming support for this legislation, with 83% of Alabama parents in support of requiring app stores to obtain parental consent before minors can download apps. Today, teenagers use on average 40 different apps per week – with some using up to 125 different apps.

Parental involvement cannot be an afterthought. With these statistics, we must facilitate legislation which listens to parents and their concerns.

While I hope the Alabama legislature picks this important legislation up next year, our leaders in Washington D.C. should join Rep. James and Sen. Lee to pass the App Store Accountability Act at the federal level.

These long-overdue protections align with brick-and-mortar stores’ standards when selling age-restricted products. If we take precautions seriously in the physical world, we can also take them seriously in the digital world.

We must keep decision-making where it belongs – in the hands of parents. The App Store Accountability Act enables a unified and effective solution while providing guardians with a consistent path to navigate policies.

Alabama and the rest of the nation want to keep government power and authority out of their daily lives while ensuring parents have the tools to protect their children.

The App Store Accountability Act is a crucial step forward in addressing the challenges of the current digital landscape.

I urge Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville to champion this measure, supporting Alabama’s commitment to fair business practices, traditional family values, and ultimately, keeping decision-making power where it belongs – in the hands of parents.

The author, Jackie Zeigler, has been the elected State Board of Education member for the eight counties of District One in South Alabama since 2016. She was an award-winning elementary school Principal in Mobile. She can be reached for comment at j[email protected].