Dennis Nichols
Over a decade ago, when my eldest son was a teenager, navigating the pristine world of early social media felt like a digital wild west. We enjoyed the explosive growth of the online world, but the safety measures needed to protect our children were still unknown.
Today we are more connected than ever. The importance of keeping our kids safe in the digital world is the best ever, and it’s the perfect time to make some important first steps.
As a mother of five and the youngest 14-year-old mother, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape. Parents are already juggling homework help, extracurricular activities, family meals and careers. Trying to go ahead of all trending apps and platforms shouldn’t be another impossible task. But our child’s safety depends on it.
Luckily, I have four older kids and help me decode which apps are safe for the youngest, but not all parents have such a support system. As a country, it is essential that all parents can confidently guide their children’s online experiences.
That’s why I would like to thank Rep. Bilirakis for being the main sponsor of Congress’ App Store Accountability Act (HR 3149). This important law reinforces parents by requiring that the app store is the only place to verify the age of a child, saving parents time and providing greater peace of mind. The bill also ensures that parents will grant verifiable consent before downloading a particular app. In short, it undoes control where it belongs: in the hands of the family.
The bill provides a practical and centralized solution. This allows parents to access content that matches their family values only. And while each household may have its own rules and expectations, one thing we all agree on is the desire to be determined at the household level.
As the App Store Accountability Act moves through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, it urges all parents who want to better understand, manage and speak up about their children’s online activities. Contact your representative, speak up at City Hall and encourage others to do the same.
I know how different parents’ involvement makes. Our children rely on us to protect them. Not only in the real world, but also in the digital world. There is an opportunity to make real, lasting change. Let’s make sure Congress knows we care about the safety of our children.
Dennis Nichols is a current Florida PTA Board member and former president of the Pasco County PTA Council.
