As someone who works closely with newly arrived migrants through Aid for Life, I see firsthand the unique challenges that vulnerable families face. Parents in New York, especially those from migrant communities, face the daily challenge of balancing the benefits of technology with its risks. For these families, like many New York families, access to the internet is essential for education, as well as staying connected to resources and loved ones in a new and uncertain land. However, this access can also expose teens to harmful content like scams that prey on people who speak little English, making online safety a top concern for parents in these already vulnerable communities. The recently passed SAFE for Kids Act is a critical step forward in addressing these dangers but getting it right will be critical to the families Aid for Life represents and families across New York State.
The SAFE for Kids Act aims to protect children from the dangers of addictive feeds on social media platforms. It prohibits platforms from providing such feeds to minors under 18 without parental consent. As the bill enters the rulemaking phase, the Attorney General can strengthen it by ensuring it includes app-store parental consent, simplifying digital oversight of parents. Requiring platforms like Apple’s App Store or Google Play to secure parental consent means parents would receive real-time notifications when their teen goes to download an app, allowing them to approve or deny app requests from one familiar interface instantly, centralizing and simplifying the process by eliminating the need to manage different controls across multiple platforms.
Keeping up with the ever-changing digital landscape can be overwhelming for parents, especially for marginalized communities with limited resources to monitor their children’s online activity. App-store level parental consent not only simplifies the process for parents who are already facing the challenge of building a life in a new country but may also lack digital literacy skills. Centralizing parental approval at the app store level would also reduce privacy risks by limiting the number of entities handling sensitive information—a critical safeguard for vulnerable families. Rather than relying on individual apps, we can trust app stores, which already have the infrastructure to protect personal data effectively.
New York’s SAFE for Kids Act marks a critical step forward in establishing such protections, though it currently contributes to a growing landscape of state-by-state regulations. To enhance its impact, a federal law requiring app-store parental consent could provide a more cohesive system that simplifies the process for all parents, including those from migrant backgrounds. Such a measure would help ensure that every child—regardless of their background or their parents’ level of digital literacy—has a safer and more secure online experience.
We have a responsibility to empower parents and protect our most vulnerable when better solutions for online safety are within reach. App-store parental consent offers a more straightforward, more effective way to ensure the digital world fosters growth, learning, and connection instead of harm. This common-sense solution empowers parents, protects children, and enhances privacy. Vulnerable populations, especially children, are disproportionately affected by the risks of the digital world. Implementing app-store parental consent at both state and federal levels will create a safer online environment and give parents the necessary tools to protect their families.
The digital world isn’t going anywhere, and we must provide parents with the tools they need to safeguard their kids’ online experiences. Congress must act now to pass federal legislation requiring app-store parental consent, ensuring that no child is left vulnerable to unsafe content or addictive feeds. In the meantime, New York can lead the way by ensuring the SAFE for Kids Act empowers parents to protect their children in today’s digital age.
Jesús Aguais is the president of Aid for Life, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the lives of people at risk of social vulnerability in New York City and developing countries.
