Meta Proposes Parental Approval for Teen App Downloads

The tech giant seeks to shift the responsibility of age verification to app stores and parents amid growing concerns over the safety of minors on social media platforms.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is pushing for legislation that would require app stores to get parental approval for users aged 13 to 15 to download apps.
The proposal comes as policymakers debate the responsibility of tech giants to protect youth on internet platforms, with a focus on the damaging experiences of kids on social media apps.
Meta's proposal would shift much of the responsibility of verifying children's ages to Google's Play Store and the Apple App Store.
States including Arkansas and Utah have passed laws requiring minors to get parental consent to create accounts on platforms including Instagram and TikTok.
Meta has faced growing scrutiny over its efforts to protect kids, with whistleblowers disclosing internal research showing the company's products at times worsened body image issues among teen girls.