Rep. Josh Gottheimer’s new bill would require Apple, Google verify users’ ages before downloading apps

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Rep. Josh Gottheimer to Introduce Legislation to Protect Children Online

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) is preparing to unveil the “Empowering Parents to Protect Their Children’s Devices Act” next week. This act would mandate that Apple and Google verify users’ ages before granting access to potentially harmful apps, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The proposed legislation would empower parents to control the content their children can access on their devices at the operating system level. This means that children would no longer be able to bypass age restrictions by entering false information.

Currently, many children under the age of 13 are active on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, often with multiple accounts each. The bill aims to address this issue by compelling iPhone and Android operating systems to block certain apps altogether, rather than relying on individual app restrictions that are easily circumvented.

A majority of kids under 13 are already on social media despite age requirements — and studies show they average more than three social media accounts each, according to a copy of the bill.

Rep. Gottheimer stated that the legislation is crucial in preventing children from accessing harmful content, particularly in the case of AI chatbots linked to self-harm incidents. The bill would require age verification at the device level to safeguard children from potentially harmful apps.

Recent studies have shown that a significant number of teenagers engage with AI companions, finding them as fulfilling as real human interactions. This has raised concerns about the influence of AI on young minds and the need for stricter regulations.

The proposed legislation takes a different approach from previous online safety laws by focusing on age verification at the device level. By blocking access to harmful apps upfront, it aims to provide a more comprehensive safeguard for children.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer announces the importance of protecting children online. — The bill “would be the only way at this point to truly prevent your child from accessing content you don’t want them to see,” Gottheimer told The Post late Wednesday night.

Rep. Gottheimer emphasized the need for multi-layered protection for children online, with the proposed legislation focusing on device and operating system-based safeguards. It would also mandate the Federal Trade Commission to establish enforceable standards for age verification data sharing and device usage among siblings.

Violations of the proposed law could result in civil penalties of up to $50,000 per incident, underscoring the importance of compliance with the new regulations.

The legislation comes at a time of increasing concern over the impact of AI chatbots on teenagers and children accessing unsuitable content online. Rep. Gottheimer, a parent himself, stressed the necessity of simplifying the process for parents to manage their children’s digital activities.

“As a dad, I can tell you how complicated this is,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges parents face in navigating their children’s online experiences.