The App Store Accountability Act requires parental approval before an app can be downloaded on a child’s device
By Dawn Wible
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — As the founder of "Talk More. Tech Less." I have spent years listening to and working alongside parents across Texas and the nation who are at the end of themselves trying to keep their kids safe in the digital age. Many times families are forced into a reactive posture, learning about new apps or online risks only after their children are already immersed in or have been harmed by them.
Technology moves fast, and families are left playing catch-up.
Every other industry that markets to children is subject to safety standards – and technology should be no different.That principle is why federal legislation in the United States Congress known as the "App Store Accountability Act" – H.R.3149 – matters so much to parents.
Talk More. Tech Less. supports this legislation without a blanket preemption, ensuring state laws can continue to protect and support families.
Thankfully, Texas has already demonstrated strong bipartisan leadership on this issue.
The Texas Legislature passed legislation at the state level with SB 2420, reflecting broad agreement that children need to be protected in the digital world and give parents important steps to keep them safe.
The App Store Accountability Act builds on that proven, bipartisan momentum by establishing protections for children nationwide.
The App Store Accountability Act requires parental approval before an app can be downloaded on a child’s device. The bill ensures that parents are informed and involved at the very first step.
From there, families can decide whether to enable additional parental controls or safety standards – or not.
At Talk More. Tech Less., we see the consequences when families don’t have that opportunity. We talk daily about the mental health challenges, social pressures, and the physical and emotional harm that can stem from risky or dangerous online spaces.
Schools and communities invest heavily in counseling, digital literacy, and intervention programs because we are often trying to fix problems after harm has already occurred.This legislation flips that model. It focuses on prevention rather than remediation, protecting children before the harm is done.
It puts the burden where it belongs – on the industry, not the child.
The App Store Accountability Act doesn’t require expensive software, advanced technical skills, or complicated setups. It simply builds common sense safeguards into the systems to protect children.
Alongside the App Store Accountability Act, broader efforts like the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act signal growing recognition that children’s online well-being and safety deserves thoughtful, bipartisan action.
Parents want industry transparency, information, and the ability to guide their kids safely as technology continues to evolve.
The App Store Accountability Act delivers exactly that.
It is practical, commonsense policy that puts child safety first.
Dawn Wible is the founder of Talk More. Tech Less., a digital wellness and safety organization promoting healthy relationships in a tech-saturated world. An online safety advocate and certified digital wellness educator, for over a decade she has trained Communities, Organizations, Schools & Families on healthy and safer #TechResponsibly. Contact her via email at dawn@talkmoretechless.com
