Congressional Resolution Pushes Tech Industry To Develop Self-Regulatory Body To Protect Children from Harmful App Content

Representatives Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Ben McAdams (D-UT) introduced a resolution on November 20 that calls for the tech industry to establish an app rating board to help guide consumer choice and protect children from harmful content. Under the proposed resolution, the rating board would establish criteria for what content and in-app risks should result in age-appropriate ratings. The board would review app ratings and descriptions of the most downloaded apps and impose sanctions for noncompliance.

The resolution also calls on tech companies to adopt user-friendly parental controls on internet-ready devices they manufacture, close loopholes that allow children to bypass parental controls, build in age-based default safety settings and provide for app shutoff options for bedtime and school hours. It further recommends that the proposed board be comprised of industry representatives and experts in child development, child protection and internet safety.