By Denise Nichols
Over a decade ago, when my oldest daughter was a teenager, navigating the untamed world of early social media felt like the digital wild west. While we enjoyed the explosive growth of the online world, the safety measures needed to protect our children were still uncharted.
Today, we are more connected than ever before. The importance of keeping our children safe in the digital world is more top-of-mind now than it has ever been, and it is the perfect time to make some important first steps.
As a mother of five, with my youngest now 14, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape. Parents are already juggling homework help, extracurriculars, family meals, and careers. Trying to stay ahead of every trending app or platform shouldn’t be one more impossible task. Yet our children’s safety depends on it.
I’m fortunate to have four older kids who now help me decode which apps are safe for my youngest, but not every parent has that kind of support system. It is essential that we, as a country, make it easier for all parents to guide their children’s online experiences with confidence.
That’s why I want to thank Congressman Bilirakis for being a lead sponsor of the App Store Accountability Act (H.R. 3149) in Congress. This important legislation empowers parents by requiring app stores to be the sole place to verify a child’s age, saving parents’ time and giving them more peace of mind. The bill also ensures that parents give verifiable consent before certain apps can be downloaded. In short, it puts control back where it belongs: in the hands of families.
This bill offers a practical, centralized solution. It makes it easier for parents to ensure their children are only accessing content that aligns with their family’s values. And while each household may have its own rules and expectations, the one thing we all agree on is the desire for decisions to be made at the household level.
As the App Store Accountability Act moves through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I urge every parent who wants to better understand and manage their child’s online activity to raise their voice. Contact your representatives, speak up at town halls, and encourage others to do the same.
I know how much of a difference parent involvement makes. Our kids are counting on us to protect them. Not just in the real world, but in the digital one, too. We have a chance to make real, lasting change. Let’s make sure Congress knows we care about the safety of our children.
Denise Nichols is a current Florida PTA board member and former Pasco County PTA Council President.
