Sens. Moran, Rosen Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Equip Parents with Tools to Better Protect Minors Online

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy - and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) - a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation - this week introduced the Parents Over Platforms Act, bipartisan legislation that would require app stores and developers to establish safeguards that strengthen protections for minors downloading apps online and provide parents with more tools to moderate children's online access.

"Our bipartisan legislation would strengthen protections for children online and help make certain parents can keep their families safe in today's increasingly digital world," said Sen. Moran. "Requiring app stores and app developers to put safeguards in place will support efforts to bolster protections for minors as they navigate an online environment that is too often harmful for young children. As these threats grow, it is important that we put measures in place to be certain parents are equipped with the tools to keep their children's online access safe and age appropriate. I look forward to hearing from stakeholders in Kansas about this important issue."

"Our cellphones and other connected devices play a huge role in all of our lives - with apps helping to foster community and boost our economy. At the same time, certain apps pose real risks to children and teens, and we have a responsibility to keep our children safe when they go online or use social media," said Sen. Rosen. "That's why Senator Moran and I are introducing a bipartisan bill to protect our kids from harmful content and bad actors. Our legislation would establish rules for app stores and app developers to help provide parents with the tools to keep their children safe."

Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) and Erin Houchin (R-IN-09).

Specifically, the legislation would:

• Require app stores to implement age-assurance processes to determine users' ages and distinguish minors from adults;
• Direct app stores and app developers to develop tools allowing parents to approve or block apps for their children;
• Limit targeted ads and certain data uses for minors and restrict access to adult content for minors;
• Provide app stores and app developers safe-harbor if they make good-faith, reasonable compliance efforts; and
• Allow for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and largely preempt existing state laws.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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