Meta Advocates Legislation: Parental Approval Required for Teen App Downloads
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has proposed legislation mandating parental approval when teenagers download apps, shifting responsibility to app stores like Apple and Google. The call for an “industry-wide solution” aims to address concerns about teens’ use of social media on Meta’s platforms. In a blog post, Meta’s Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, emphasised the need for a straightforward approach, stating that parents should approve app downloads for teens under 16, with app stores notifying parents for consent.
The proposal aims to streamline the process by notifying parents, similar to purchase notifications, allowing them to decide whether to approve the download. Additionally, Davis suggested incorporating age verification during phone setup to eliminate repetitive age verification across multiple apps.
This initiative comes amidst increasing criticism and legal challenges faced by Meta regarding its handling of child and teen users. A recent whistleblower accused Instagram of insufficiently protecting teens from online harm, recounting instances of his 14-year-old daughter facing inappropriate advances on the platform.
While Meta claims to have implemented “over 30 tools” for online safety, growing concerns have led US lawmakers to consider local laws, potentially creating a complex legal landscape for Meta and similar firms. Utah became the first state to mandate parental consent for children’s social media app usage in March.
In response, Meta is urging the creation of a national law, emphasising collaboration between the industry and lawmakers. Davis stated that unified legislation is necessary to establish consistent standards for all apps used by teenagers.
With global regulations tightening around social media companies, especially in the EU, where data privacy laws pose challenges for Meta, the proposed legislation aligns with Meta’s push for standardised oversight and privacy protection. By shifting responsibility to app stores, Meta aims to limit the collection of sensitive information and create a more cohesive regulatory framework for teen app usage.
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